Local university adopts a rural work college model to transform higher education for nontraditional urban students |
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by Shari Finnell, editor/writer, Not for Profit News
The profile of students who attend Martin University is anything but traditional. The average age is 38, and more than half are Millennials. Many are juggling low-wage, part-time jobs and parenting responsibilities as heads of household. And it’s not unusual for them to be carrying student debt after transferring from other colleges, according to Ezell Marrs, vice president for enrollment management for the Near Eastside Indianapolis educational institution.
Those unique circumstances led Martin University to introduce a work college model that has been primarily limited to rural and small-town communities until recent years. Under the work college model, students pursue their degree while making a commitment to work and provide service for the university or university partners.
Martin WORKS, the urban work college established with the assistance of a $1 million Lilly Endowment grant, improves students’ odds of better post-graduation outcomes since they will be paired with companies that provide relevant work experience. “They are not paying tuition as part of this program — and they are getting paid a competitive wage with top-tier corporate employers, in some cases, Fortune 500 companies,” Marrs said. “They will engage in learning and work-related experience that will set them up for full-time employment in more profitable careers.”
In some historic work college models, everyone who works at the campus is a student with the exception of faculty, Marrs said. Over the decades, many have evolved to meet new career demands. Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C., for example, was founded in 1894 as the Asheville Farm School to give underserved and, in some cases, previously uneducated young people, more solid job prospects through a low-cost education. In 1967, it became a four-year liberal arts college. Today, Warren Wilson College, which has been touted as a “best buy” by Fiske Guide to Colleges, continues its focus on “learning by doing” through a work program and community engagement.
“The work college model has been around for some time, but It’s a fairly new concept for an urban setting,” Marrs said. “ Paul Quinn College in Dallas pioneered the urban work college. We are now pioneering an urban work college for post-traditional students.”
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Developing a shock leadership style that guides your organization during a pandemic |
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by Sara M. Johnson, FACHE
Leadership theories have been around for many years and are often based on societal norms and the evolution of how people prefer to work. We’ve had the Great Man Theory, Trait Theory, Contemporary Theories, Contingency Theories, and more.
The most recent theory being studied is Shock Leadership Theory. This latest theory is based on the leadership behaviors that are necessary to lead during the pandemic and other volatile, uncertain, chaotic, ambiguous situations — known as VUCA situations — we may face as leaders.
In 2007, Warren Bennis said he thought that two of the primary threats to world stability were leadership in the context of increased globalization and pandemics. As it turns out, he was correct. When he made that statement 13 years ago, he had no way of knowing that these two would intersect the way they have in 2020 nor that the Shock Leadership Theory would emerge.
While leadership theories continue to emerge, they tend to focus on the behaviors that leaders should exhibit. Our own leadership development pursuits lead us to programs that help us discover ways in which we can behave differently as leaders — how to be more empathetic, how to be more authentic, and how to lead with courage.
But what is it that drives our behaviors? Those behaviors are driven by who we are at our core — our values, our purpose, our heart. So, here is a question for you: Have you recently assessed your leadership core?
I expect many would answer that question with a yes. The pandemic, for all its challenges, has caused many leaders to become more thoughtful about what really matters in life. Leaders are reflecting on who they are, not just what they do.
Our values and who we are at our core drive our behavior and guide us to behave ethically, empathetically, and authentically. When VUCA situations arise, it is our values that are challenged and cause us to ask ourselves, “How should I lead in this situation?” Without clearly knowing our values and the direction those can provide, we can find ourselves adrift trying to navigate the waters of chaotic or uncertain organizational realities.
Our leadership experts at IU Executive Education have created the Holistic Leadership Series that is designed to be an individually transformative process. The series will feature one two-hour webinar on the fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning March 24 and ending Oct. 27. Beginning with the topic of “ heart and spirit,” this global series examines a person’s core values, how those have developed over time, and how those values can serve them as they lead. Other topics will include embracive thinking, relational dynamics, and operational leadership.
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The Mind Trust has promoted Sonja Peters to senior director of school incubation. Peters previously served as a community impact coordinator at United Way of Central Indiana. — Inside Indiana Business
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CEDIA has hired Melissa Geitgey as vice president of marketing, communications and research. Geitgey previously served as marketing portfolio lead for the employee benefits division at OneAmerica. — Inside Indiana Business
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The Indy Chamber has hired Julianne Carson as director of the Central Indiana Women’s Business Center. Carson previously served as a vice president at Busey Bank.—Inside Indiana Business
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The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross has appointed Steve Spinner chief development officer. Spinner most recently served as philanthropy officer for the Northeast Division of the American Red Cross. — Inside Indiana Business
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Charitable Advisors will be closing its salary survey on Feb. 28 at midnight. To receive the comprehensive compensation report, please complete the survey. See attached list if your organization has completed the survey or started without completing it. If you would like to participate, please contact Julie Struble.
The IUPUI nonprofit virtual expo is scheduled for March 23 from 1-4 p.m. The expo provides nonprofits and public organizations the opportunity to promote their full time, part-time, internship and volunteer positions. Time slots are available for a chat room that allow students to ‘pop in’ to an organization’s booth as well as schedule one-to-one meetings. Cost: $50 for registration. Register
CareSource, a nationally recognized nonprofit health plan, has announced a joint program with Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Nurse-Family Partnership. Under the initiative, CareSource has provided funding to assist with the hiring of a specially trained nurse to work with CareSource members enrolled in the program. Read
United Way of Central Indiana has announced that three community-based organizations have been approved for accreditation and, as a result, can apply for United Way grants in the categories of basic needs, family opportunity and social innovation, access training, technical assistance and capacity building. The organizations are Burmese American Community Institute, Inc., The Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County, and Visually Impaired Preschool Services. Read
The new Community Corrections for People with Disabilities grant program has announced that 11 Indiana communities that partner with nonprofits will receive more than $1.6 million in federal funding. Read list of recipients
United Way of Central Indiana is hosting a children’s book drive. Donors can drop off new books for ages pre-K to third grade through March 3 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at United Way of Central Indiana, 2955 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis. View suggested books
COVID-19 Awards
Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded a series of grants totaling $70,000 to help with the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. See recipients
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Effective problem-solving webinar on Feb. 28, from 10-11:15 a.m. Can you write a clear problem statement that describes one challenge you are attempting to solve for your clients? Cost: $15. Presented by United Way of Central Indiana. Register
Create and use survey data on March 3, from 10 a.m.–noon. Learn to create surveys, understand survey samples and estimates, and analyze and interpret survey results. Presented by SAVI Community Information System. Cost: Free.
Neighbor Power Indy virtual conference on March 4-6, offering more than 15 workshops. Connect with hundreds of attendees, and participate in discussions and workshops that inspire and empower others. Hosted by the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center. Cost: Free. Register
2021 International Women's Day program on March 8 at noon. Attend the annual event as it presents a global demonstration of inspiring stories of women who have overcome challenges and are paving the way for future generations. Presented by Pass The Torch. Cost: $25. Register
IU McKinney Law is offering a virtual Juris Doctor information session on March 8 at 1 p.m. for those interested in applying to start law school in the fall of 2021. The one-hour session outlines the steps in the application process. Register
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Quick Take - Setting the executive director’s compensation webinar on March 2, from 1-1:30 p.m. Understand the approaches to setting Executive Director compensation using Charitable Advisors’ 2018 compensation report as a reference. Participants are also encouraged to bring their questions about completing the 2021 salary survey which closes soon.
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Keep Indianapolis Beautiful virtual ambassador orientation on March 2 at 5:30 p.m. The organization is seeking prospects to join its dedicated corps of volunteers who help lead projects. The orientation will provide an overview of how the program works, the available opportunities to get involved, and how the perks system works. Register
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The number of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP2) loans to U.S. nonprofits and small businesses more than doubled in the fourth week of the second round of pandemic relief aid, according to data from the Small Business Association.
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The organization uses basketball and other interest-based activities to connect youths with positive role models and inspire them to achieve their goals.
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Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
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MEETING ROOM OR EVENT SPACE |
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Office/art space available in Fountain Square
Office rental space available on Indianapolis’ Southeast side. Up to 1,970 sq ft. office space, five rooms for office/studio space, kitchenette, paid utilities, installed security system, parking and more. Contact Bradley Keen at (317) 634-5079, ext. 101.
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Events, Meetings and Offices
With 2,000 square feet of coworking space, budget-friendly private offices, and comfortable meeting and event spaces, the Nexus Impact Center is an ideal location to pursue your mission. Located just off Interstate 465 and Michigan Road, Nexus allows your team members and visitors to quickly reach your space and meet in spacious rooms that allow for safe social distancing. More
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CHARITABLE ADVISORS
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