After searching for nearly three years for a formalized education pertinent to the nonprofit sector, I found Bay Path College’s Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy (NMP) Program to complement my career experience. Bay Path provided everything I sought in an online, nonprofit graduate program—courses relevant to fundraising as well as my current position as senior director of development at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.
Since I live in California—3,000 miles from Bay Path—the online program definitely worked well for me. Throughout my NMP studies, my knowledge was strengthened in nonprofit leadership, volunteer management, and philanthropy, and various projects were immediately applicable to my supervision of Westmont’s annual fund and major gifts programs. The courses were rigorous and rich in content, and the ongoing discussion forums provided numerous opportunities to interact and learn from my peers and faculty members, who bring a wealth of nonprofit experience to the online community. They expect a lot from their students, but also give a lot of themselves.
My Bay Path graduate degree has increased my credibility with donors and peers alike, and my education has prepared me well for my future endeavors in the non-profit sector, be it fund development for a higher education institution, working for an international relief organization, or providing non-profit consultations. The nonprofit management program was more rewarding than I dreamed possible, and the college has provided me with a wonderful learning opportunity that has enriched my life.