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National Group Recognizes Local Program with Excellence Award HOUSTON, Feb. 9, 2007—A University of Houston program dedicated to meeting community needs and developing future community leaders has been recognized by the American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI) as the best in the country. The UH David M. Underwood chapter of the American Humanics program received the coveted Program Excellence Award during a recent awards ceremony in Washington D.C. The program is part of the offerings from the UH Graduate College of Social Work. “We have a history of excellence and professionalism, and this validates and confirms the quality program we have at UH,” Margaret O’Donnell, program director, said. “This program makes a difference in the lives of students and the community.” The American Humanics Program Excellence award recognizes the campus program that has achieved excellence in all areas of programming, institutional and community support, effective public relations and fundraising, quality of internships and level of graduate placement in nonprofit positions or higher education programs. The UH program was already award-winning, having secured the Excellence in Fundraising (1999, 2005), Public Relations (2006) and Internships (2004). “Social work is about maximizing potential of individuals and communities, and AH meets both of these missions. I am amazed at the difference it makes in the lives of students who are looking for a way to focus their career on making a difference in other people's lives,” O’Donnell said. “This program solidifies the path to their career dream with a structured, recognized professional preparation for working in nonprofit organizations. Those certified graduates then go to work at community based nonprofits and use their knowledge and skills to maximize their potential to serve clients.” There are 74 American Humanics programs in the nation which work to prepare students for careers in nonprofit management positions The American Humanics program at UH gives undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a nationally recognized certificate in nonprofit management. Required curriculum includes courses in human development, public relations, fiscal and fund development. Students also participate in a supervised internship at a Houston-area nonprofit agency. The nonprofit management certificate is recognized by 19 national youth and human services organizations, 11 national professional organizations and numerous other Houston area organizations. The UH American Humanics program is part of the Graduate College of Social Work, which strives to make a difference by helping to formulate just social policies, while advocating and promoting justice for all people, no matter their stage in life. “This award illustrates the value and professional nature of our program,” O’Donnell said. “This is a huge ‘good housekeeping seal of approval’!” For more information about the UH David M. Underwood Chapter of the American Humanics program, please visit www.sw.uh.edu/ourcollege/americanhumanics.php. About the University of Houston The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students. For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom. |
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