Lake Erie College in Painesville recently announced the launch of its new Center for Nonprofit & Civic Engagement, a community-focused initiative designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations, civic institutions and the people who lead them across the region.
The center will serve as a hub for professional development, leadership training, civic education, workforce preparation and applied learning, according to a news release. By connecting nonprofit professionals, civic leaders, students and community partners, the initiative aims to enhance organizational effectiveness, support workforce development and reinforce the college’s role as a partner in advancing the public good.
The center is led by Amy Sabath, executive director of career services & workforce development and nonprofit & civic engagement, who guides its strategic direction and oversees programming designed to connect education with real-world impact.
“Nonprofit and civic organizations are facing increasingly daunting and complex challenges – from leadership transitions to workforce shortages,” Jennifer N. Schuller, president of Lake Erie College, said in the release. “This Center reflects our commitment to supporting those organizations while preparing our students to lead with purpose, integrity, and real-world experience.”
The Center for Nonprofit & Civic Engagement addresses a growing need for accessible training, collaboration and support within the nonprofit and public sectors, and it will provide a centralized platform for learning and engagement while helping students and emerging professionals pursue meaningful, purpose-driven careers, according to the release.
Core program areas of the center include:
• Leadership, governance and organizational effectiveness: Practitioner-led support in strategic planning, board development, organizational assessments and leadership coaching.
• Executive and peer learning networks: CEO and executive director advisory groups, quarterly collaboration meetings and advancement-focused roundtables.
• Facilitation and consulting services: Professional facilitation and short-term consulting for nonprofit boards, leadership teams and community organizations.
• Civic engagement and public service education: Training on ethics, governance, compliance, public policy and civic leadership topics.
• Executives in residence program: Experienced nonprofit and civic leaders will mentor students, support organizations and provide real-world insight through teaching, advising and applied projects.
• Education, workforce development and career pathways: Internships, applied-learning opportunities and career development initiatives connecting students with nonprofit and civic careers.
• Networking and information sharing: Community convenings, a regional nonprofit events calendar and a bimonthly newsletter featuring job opportunities and sector resources.
Housed at Lake Erie College, the center will play a key role in advancing the institution’s mission by expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students, strengthening partnerships with employers and community organizations and positioning the college as a leader in nonprofit and civic engagement, according to the release.
The center is guided by an advisory board of regional leaders, including Mike Benz, Dennis Eckart, Morris Beverage Jr., Brent Buckley and Schuller.
“I’ve spent my career in and alongside nonprofit organizations, and I understand both the complexity of the work and the critical role these leaders play in our communities,” Sabath said in the release. “This Center is designed to provide practical support, meaningful connections, and real-world learning opportunities that strengthen organizations while preparing the next generation of leaders.”
For more information about the Center for Nonprofit & Civic Engagement, email Amy Sabath at asabath@lec.edu.