Victoria Koslosky has always had a passion for giving back to her community. As a current senior in her last semester at Salisbury University, she is pursuing dual degrees in psychology and conflict analysis and dispute resolution. While she is preparing to graduate, Koslosky is interning abroad in London, England working at the headquarters of a London-based non-profit organization Smart Works. Smart Works helps unemployed women feel empowered by providing business wear for job interviews. In addition to providing a full outfit, Smart Works provides women with a one-on-one career coaching session to prepare for their interview. Once women land a job, Smart Works provides a capsule wardrobe to wear to their work. This includes functional pieces of clothing that can be worn in a variety of outfits.
Did you know Salisbury University operates a career closet? Learn more information here.
Koslosky became interested in nonprofit leadership when she started a clothing closet inside her college home. This closet was inspired due to the need for winter clothes for several university students. She believed that clothes should not be exclusive to certain individuals, sharing that “everyone should have access to tops, bottoms, and socks.” Clothes are a necessity and should not be difficult to find based on an individual’s size or financial situation. But, these necessary items were inaccessible to a large population of Salisbury University students. Looking for a program to grow her philanthropic ideas, Koslosky was connected to the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) on campus. This program allows her to collaborate with organizations that provide individuals with the necessities they need to succeed. Her work with Smart Works has only grown this passion to help out individuals in need.
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance makes up one of the several programs that PACE oversees. Under the administration of Dr. Carolina Bown, NLA allows students of any major to pursue a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential for individuals who complete the program. CNP is the only national nonprofit credential that prepares students for the nonprofit industry. Students in this program are able to receive real-world nonprofit training while gaining experience in program planning and fundraising. An internship is also provided to gain professional development skills within the nonprofit sector. Anyone interested can enroll in IDIS 350 – Nonprofit Leadership. This 3-credit hybrid course includes at least 20 hours of volunteer work. Completing the CNP requires:
- a minimum of 120 hours of work experience within a nonprofit organization, which can be paid or unpaid
- participation in any nonprofit conference in an in-person or remote format.
- SU students can complete the conference requirement in April, as PACE cohosts the Lower Shore Nonprofit Summit.
The NLA program has aided Koslosky in a multitude of ways. Collaborating with other organizations has developed her networking abilities. Fulfilling the requirements for her certification has also allowed Koslosky to find a deeper understanding of the nonprofit sector. She feels that her leadership skills and critical thinking abilities have developed tremendously. Now, her hands-on experience in London has given her the passion to advocate for social change. Koslosky states how she “is thankful for being able to collaborate with a diverse group of team members and volunteers.” Her volunteerism has not only allowed her to give back to the community but also grow in both personal and professional settings.
Victoria is one of 117 students who are pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector, the fastest-growing area within the U.S. economy today. Nonprofit organizations vary from single-person operations based in local communities to major foundations with focuses on the arts, environment, and social services. For individuals entering the workforce, they are seven times more likely to receive a promotion than their peers who do not have a CNP certification. That certification shows employers that a student is highly qualified and employable whether in the US or worldwide, as Koslosky’s experience in London demonstrates.
For anyone interested in learning more about NLA, reach out to Dr. Carolina Bown at cdbown@salisbury.edu.