By Joyce Zhang
The M.S. in Nonprofit Management (NOPM) program recently hosted a discussion and information session about the admissions process, the international student experience, and the intricacies of the program. The session began with Emma Vittori, an admissions counselor, Deputy Program Director Lonni Ryan, and Program Director Dr. Basil Smikle Jr. sharing information about the application process, the curriculum, and the scholar-practitioner faculty.
“We have a faculty that is curated to be able to provide not just extraordinary instruction, theory, and best practices, but they’ll tell you the ins and outs of what actually happens in the workforce, in the world,” Dr. Smikle said.
Smikle also emphasized that a core value of the NOPM program is its focus on experiential learning. He discussed the nature of a professional school and highlighted that the program hosts a range of inspiring events, panels, and lunch-and-learn sessions that bring in diverse leaders from various nonprofit spaces.
After the information session, Ryan led a discussion about the international student experience with Betty A. Odhiambo, a current student from Kenya. Odhiambo is passionate about agriculture and came to the program to learn about best practices, enhance her career, and connect with others in the nonprofit field.
During a Q&A session following the discussion, one participant asked if Odhiambo had learned about social impact work in Africa specifically.
“For class assignments, we usually get to pick the organization or sector we explore,” she said. “I usually gear my assignments toward where my interest lies, which is Africa. So yes, I’ve gotten a much better understanding of the nonprofit sector there.”
Odhiambo also said that she has cultivated valuable relationships at Columbia, both professionally and personally, and has been inspired by her classmates' diverse perspectives.
“You’ll find every group of people in the program—young professionals, people straight from undergrad, and others who have a lot of work experience. I have classmates who are in the arts, education, and other fields, but we all share a passion for nonprofit work.”
For more illuminating discussions with leaders in the nonprofit space, explore NOPM’s upcoming events.
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.
