Meet the Fall 2008 Entering Class
This fall, the Mandel Center welcomed a new class of students representing the MNO, MNO-Executive Option, CNM, MNO/MSSA, MSSA/CNM, and JD/CNM programs. Students from this new class join the Mandel Center from many geographical locations outside of Ohio, including Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. - and even India. This class has experience in a variety of fields with students working for such organizations as Cleveland Social Venture Partners, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education, and Summit County Juvenile Court. We also have several Case Western Reserve University employees joining us as members of the Fall 2008 class.
MNO candidate Brendan Sandham, who currently teaches and directs theatrical productions at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby and Rabbit Run Community Arts Association, and is also an audio visual technician for Presentation Services, said his time at the Mandel Center has been a great experience so far.
"I anticipated the quality of the faculty based on reputation and recommendations from alumni," Sandham said. "However, I never expected to learn as much as I have from the other students."
Specifically, Sandham commented on the variety of fields within the nonprofit sector that are represented by students in the program.
"The MNO program fosters a great sense of collaboration, and I've been working closely with people in nonprofit fields that are completely unfamiliar to me," he said. "Though my background is in the arts, I've found myself studying with students in social and medical areas, and my own experiences have been broadened. This is the result of a cooperative environment, and I feel blessed to be studying in the Mandel Center."
CNM candidate Kimberly Meals said that as her first semester draws to a close, she is already incorporating coursework into her current position as the Director of Training, Performance Improvement, and Corporate Compliance at Community Support Services in Akron.
"I was attracted to the Mandel Center because I was impressed with the range of courses available with an emphasis on the nonprofit sector," Meals said. "The certificate program offers me an opportunity to develop new skills and challenge old beliefs as I prepare for the next chapter in my professional life."
Before joining the Mandel Center, Daniel Utley, also a CNM candidate, was the Assistant Director of Bands at Midpark High School and Ford Middle Schools in Berea, Ohio. He decided to enter into the field of nonprofit management in the hopes of becoming a Jewish summer camp director.
"I feel that my work here at the Mandel Center is going to supplement my education as a teacher of the Jewish faith in order to prepare me to be a good manager and visionary for a Jewish nonprofit organization," Utley said.
The Mandel Center held several orientation and welcoming events for its new students, including an evening reception, held for the first time in the Center's own building, for all students, alumni, faculty and staff.
The Mandel Center is proud to welcome the Fall 2008 entering class and wishes them great success as they pursue their studies in nonprofit management.
