This semester, 21 Kansas State University students attended Elevate 2022: Reflect and Rebuild, a Nonprofit Leadership Alliance conference. For three days in February, the virtual leadership conference delivered key concepts on how to manage change in times of uncertainty. K-State students were able to network with Certified Nonprofit Professionals (CNP), nonprofit staff, and other college students from around the country.
Students and professionals worked together to deepen their understanding of nonprofit cultures, being an advocate, mental health, racial justice, leadership, and other topics critical to exercising leadership in the nonprofit sector. Natalie Moyer, senior studying marketing and nonprofit leadership, explained how she enjoyed that it connected her programs of study.
“I learned on a deeper level about the role of courage and vulnerability in leadership. After attending the conference, she was able to get real life examples from her peers on how they are using leadership in their day-to-day life,” said Moyer.
While the conference aligned with K-State’s Nonprofit Leadership curriculum, students were also able to learn about new theories and practices of leadership in the nonprofit sector. Maddie Mann, junior studying entrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership, shared that in one of her sessions she learned about agility in the workplace.
“This idea reminded me of a CliftonStrengths discussion in my LEAD 212: Introduction to leadership concepts class,” said Mann.
Understanding personal strengths helps individuals be more agile in the workplace when challenges arise. Through developing a better understanding of her own strengths, Mann was able to envision her future self in a fun and new way.
The opportunity to attend Elevate this year was provided as a part of the Nonprofit Leadership program at the Staley School of Leadership Studies. If you are interested in attending a future Elevate Conference, pursuing the Certified Nonprofit Professional Credential, or the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate, email chance@ksu.edu.
