Diana Urias, a student in the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) M.S. in Nonprofit Management (NOPM) program and secretary of the SPS Student Government (SPSSG), has dedicated her academic career and professional journey to creating meaningful change in the nonprofit space.
Following her graduation from UC Berkeley in 2022, Urias spent a year working in government through an internship at the office of Santa Clara County District Four Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, a Barnard College and Columbia Law School alumna. It was through this internship experience and Ellenberg’s advice that Urias decided to enroll in the NOPM program.
Urias’s commitment to the nonprofit sector also grew from personal experience. Having benefited from organizations such as Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), PIVOTAL, and the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, Urias saw firsthand the power of nonprofit initiatives. “These experiences have been truly life-changing, and I am a walking testimony of the positive impact nonprofit organizations can have on someone’s life,” she said.
At SPS, Urias deepened her understanding of nonprofit management through rigorous coursework and hands-on experiences. In NOPM Program Director and Professor of Practice Dr. Basil Smikle Jr.’s capstone course, Urias developed a fundraising plan for a local nonprofit, an experience that reaffirmed her passion for doing good and assured her that she was “in the right place and made the right decision to move to New York City.”
Outside of the classroom, Urias has embraced leadership roles, serving as secretary and chair of the Social Committee in SPSSG. Inspired by Emily Taylor, SPSSG president and fellow NOPM student, Urias joined the group to foster inclusivity and engagement. “Columbia’s School of Professional Studies brings together students from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences, and I saw SPSSG as a platform to foster meaningful collaboration among us,” she said.
So far, her most rewarding moment was organizing an SPSSG Valentine’s Day event that focused on self-love and community service. “Leadership isn’t just about holding a title,” she noted. “It’s about being proactive, building relationships, and making a positive impact.”
As she continues her master’s studies at SPS, Urias remains committed to uplifting communities and ensuring that the nonprofit sector remains a force for doing good.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, health care, and the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
The fall 2025 final application deadline for the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program is June 1. The program is available part-time, full-time, on campus, and online. Learn more here.
