Nonprofit Management & Leadership

Nonprofit organizations play an essential role in society by providing goods, services, and connections that might not otherwise be available. School of Public Affairs faculty conduct research on multiple aspects of the nonprofit sector, including philanthropy, nonprofit governance and financial management, social entrepreneurship, and the ways in which nonprofits use collaborations and networks to achieve their missions.


Latest News on Nonprofit Management & Leadership

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    CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs: For 50 Years, a Place to Lead, Solve, and ChangeOpens in a new window

    Feb 28, 2023
    This year, as CU Denver celebrates its own golden anniversary, SPA is also celebrating 50 years of education, research, and outreach that helps cities and communities operate better and more equitably.
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    What is the Difference between Public Policy and Public Administration?Opens in a new window

    Feb 28, 2023
    Look around you: From roads that link neighborhoods to city governments that introduce recycling programs, to people that raise funds to build playgrounds and concert venues, our world is shaped by civics and public affairs. And students who are interested in a career in these sectors can make big impacts in their communities. At CU Denver, students can choose an educational path that focuses on public administration or public affairs—but how do these degree choices differ?
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  • Economic Development Class Strengthens San Luis Valley Communities throughout the years

    Nov 16, 2022
    Since 2017, students in Randy Harrison’s ‘Economic Development’ class (PUAD 5630) have had the opportunity to engage with Colorado communities in an experience unlike any felt in a typical classroom. Through its partnership with Downtown Colorado, Inc., this SPA course allows students to become project coordinators in a process known as the Colorado Challenge Program; here, students connect with community members and experts in the field to establish a plan of work to engage public, private, and non-profit partners in addressing a significant community challenge over the course of their semester. Through their partnership, SPA students and DCI have connected with and created initiatives for almost 30 Colorado communities.
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Alumni Stories

Our School of Public Affairs alumni make a huge impact in Colorado and beyond! Read their stories.

  • Six Questions for MPA ’22 Alum Yazmin Castillo, Development Coordinator at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver

    Feb 14, 2024 by Ellen Patterson
    Yazmin Castillo currently works on the development team at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, where she has had the privilege of contributing to impactful projects aimed at inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Her journey with Girls Inc. began nearly 8 years ago as a work-study student through CU Denver, and since then, Yazmin has worn many hats within the organization.
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  • Six Questions for MPA ’09 Alum Melanie Lewis Dickerson, Director at Community Solutions

    Jan 31, 2024 by Ellen Patterson
    As a Director at Community Solutions, Melanie works directly with communities and partners to build and improve systems to end homelessness using data, quality improvement and problem-solving tools from multiple sectors. She is a leader on the Built for Zero team, where she oversees a portfolio of large-scale change partnerships and social impact investments in the United States and abroad. Prior to joining Community Solutions in 2014, Melanie spent six years with the City and County of Denver where she served as the Partnerships Manager for Denver’s Road Home, focusing on policy development, regional collaboration and strategic partnerships.
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  • Six Questions for MPA ’91 and Rocky ’00 Alum Chuck Reid, Founder of The Choice Is Yours

    Jan 17, 2024 by Ellen Patterson
    Beginning as a Traffic Engineering intern in Englewood in 1989 and leaving as the Assistant City Manager 5 years later, Chuck Reid also served as Fraser’s town manager from 1995-2004 and Federal Heights’ City Manager from 2004-2007. Hopping then to the private sector, he spent 13 years at CliftonLarsonAllen providing outsourced management to mainly Title 32 entities, and then spent two years working full-time for the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority. Following the pandemic, Chuck took a couple years off from work, and this year opened The Choice Is Yours, LLP, which provides contract services to local governments and nonprofit organizations.
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    Five Questions for SPA Alum Naureen Singh, Youth Support and Development Specialist at the Asian Pacific Development Center; Policy Director of Colorado Sikhs

    Nov 15, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
    Naureen Singh is a Youth Support and Development Specialist at the Asian Pacific Development Center and the Policy Director of Colorado Sikhs. Naureen has also earned her commission and currently works on addressing claims of unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment in the United States Air Force. She graduated with her Master of Criminal Justice degree from the University of Colorado Denver. Singh has extensive professional experience with grassroots organizing, interfaith coalition building, and community building. Recently, she has been selected to lead the Colorado Sikh History Project.
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    Six Questions for SPA Alum Monica Cutler, Associate Director of Advancement Communications at CU Denver

    Nov 1, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
    Monica Cutler, Associate Director of Advancement Communications at CU Denver, supports the work of the entire CU Denver Advancement team primarily in digital marketing, which includes mass emails, event registrations, social media outreach, and website management. She discusses what's meaningful about her career, how her education at the School of Public Affairs has impacted her work, and more.
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