MANDEL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Sheila Magero

In the 2004 academic year, not only did I receive admission to the MNO program at the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations, I was also awarded the privilege and honour of a full tuition scholarship. Attending Case Western Reserve University's Mandel Center provided a life transforming opportunity for me. There are several reasons for this:

• Learning from distinguished faculty who are experienced leaders and practitioners in the non-profit management field. Enjoying the incredibly interactive classes, learning how to effectively search for the knowledge that I need to succeed at a variety of tasks. Getting the benefit of a quality American education.
• Sharing experiences with students from a wide variety of fields, backgrounds and experience. Students with passion for their work, and willing to slog through long evenings and weekends of group work after working the whole day.
• Because of my enrollment in this practical and prestigious degree program, I was able to obtain recognition and support from several scholarship and fellowship organisations that believed that I could have impact in NGO management in my country, Uganda.
• Gaining the confidence, skill and knowledge to contribute to the field of NGO and non-profit management, as an employee and consultant.
• Meeting people in Cleveland that will be lifelong friends. I have already hosted one this year in Uganda!
• At the Mandel Center, staff were of invaluable support from before I boarded the plane from Uganda to the US, and until returned. I will forever be grateful for the help and encouragement they gave me, right from recruitment to settling in, and selection of courses, and lots, lots more.

This year, I established a consultancy firm, Zuri Consult, which offers professional management services to non-profit, nongovernmental (NGO) private and public sector organisations http://zuriconsult.blogspot.com/ It is doubtful that I would have achieved this step without the skills, confidence and knowledge that I gained at the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations.