In 2006 the David M. Underwood Chapter of American Humanics adopted a new campaign and words to express the true spirit of American Humanics: VISION, PASSION, GROWTH and LEADERSHIP.
That same year an alumni of the program was hired to join the program director in facilitating the program. A staff position was created and Lori Godwin was introduced as the Program Coordinator. "With the hiring of our first new professional staff we have the opportunity to enhance program quality by standardizing and documenting our advising, enrollment and certification procedures," said Margaret O'Donnell.
Lori's story isn't very different from the one most American Humanics students share. She was a Business major as an undergraduate in 2003 and began to realize that the dollar signs weren't her calling. She found American Humanics and became immersed in the program. She worked her way through college with two jobs and then later added on an internship. Her true PASSION lay in management and development. She took on multiple roles and responsibilities, taking an officer position in the student association and one of the AH student workers.
After graduation, she took her first professional job with Child Protective Services. Lori kept in touch with the program director and followed the progress of the program closely. "I am a firm believer in the American Humanics program. It not only gives students direction in their careers, but it opens doors they never knew existed. I want to be a part of that process," says Lori.
In November 2006, she returned to the same office she had worked in as a student worker, this time as a full time staff member. Diedre Thomas, Membership Coordinator of Spring 2007 wrote in the newsletter, "Lori brings excitement and a fresh prospective to the program."
Since the Program Director's retirement in January of 2009 Lori has shown students her personal GROWTH through handling a tremendous jump in responsibilities and duties. She oversees major projects like maintaining the nationally recognized marketing materials and planning an upcoming Fall Retreat collaborating with the American Humanics programs from University of North Texas and The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Lori's VISION is to educate a population of ambitious students the skills necessary to be successful in a nonprofit career- time management, organization and flexibility. She says, "Students are like sponges, they are eager to learn all they can to make a difference in the world."
Lori's LEADERSHIP is remarkable. Her very being personifies intelligence, style and grace. She seems to have a multitude of anecdotes ready for any situation. Her continued dedication to the student debt project has lead to numerous students receiving scholarships through the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders Program. Still a student herself, Lori is working towards a Masters in Social Work. She understands the struggles a student has in balancing personal responsibilities, school work and the AH program responsibilities. She light heartedly reminds students, "Joining the circus might be more fun but working in a nonprofit is even more rewarding."
-By Brooke Sinclair, 2009-2010 Program Student Worker