UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON NAMED BEST AMERICAN HUMANICS PROGRAM IN NATION AT ANNUAL AMERICAN HUMANICS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Washington, DC. –

The University of Houston received the Program Excellence Award at the American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI), held January 3-6 in Washington, DC.  The University of Houston program has consistently been one of the finalists for the Program Excellence Award, and has previously been recognized for excellence in internships, fundraising, and public relations.  Criteria for the Program Excellence Award include solid University support, a strong Community Council, an active group of community volunteers and benefactors, diverse leaders, and students who are involved in nonprofits throughout the Houston community.  The University of Houston has been a leader among the 74 American Humanics campus affiliates, and continues to grow. 

More than 580 American Humanics students and faculty, as well as more than 300 nonprofit and corporate leaders, took part in this unique opportunity to network with nonprofit executives, participate in simulated case studies and a national collegiate dialogue, and attend workshops led by local and national experts in nonprofit management.  The University of Houston was well represented by Campus Executive Director, Margaret O’Donnell, and the following student participants: Zehra Abu-Ali, Heidi Al-Aswad, Ines Alvarez Calderon, Whitney Arp, Sherry Bernard, Lauren Bryce, Patricia Buckholtz, Yunchiu Chang, Veronica Curiel, Roxana Hebert, Alicia Hicks, Veralisa Hunter, Deborah Hutchison, Shelley McCaul, Yvonne Meza, Erin Nichols, LaShic Patterson, Shelley Pleasant, Wendy Rea, Adriana Sanchez, Amy Scott, Megan Sharp, Flor Sifuentes, Rachael Susaneck, Deidre Thomas, Chrystal Thornton, Natasha Wade, and Crystal Zamora.

University and civic leaders who attended are: Gary Nichols, founding AH Community Council chair and his wife Sue Ann; Wayne Nordon, Exec. Vice President at Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, founding Council member and current AH Community Council chair; Ira Colby, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate College of Social Work; and Ann McFarland, Director of the Office of Community Projects at the Graduate College of Social Work.

Lauren Bryce served as the University of Houston AHMI 2007 Student Representative. UH student, Veronica Curiel, was chosen by AH, Inc. to be one of only six students in the country serving on the Advisory Team to begin planning AHMI 2008 to be held in Kansas City, MO. A group of our UH students, led by Deborah Hutchison and Adriana Sanchez, presented a workshop titled "Advocating for Comprehensive Immigration Reform".

The purpose of the annual Management Institute is to expose junior and senior-level college students to experiences they will encounter as nonprofit professionals.  This unique educational symposium is considered the capstone professional development experience for students enrolled in the American Humanics nonprofit management and leadership program.  It is held annually during the first week in January and rotates to a different city each year.

Keynote speakers included David Eisner, CEO, the Corporation for National and Community Service; Diana Aviv, President and CEO, Independent Sector; and Ralph Smith, Executive Vice President, the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations that prepares and certifies college students for professional careers in youth and human service agencies.  American Humanics is affiliated with more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide including the University of Houston, and partners with more than 50 national nonprofit organizations including the YMCA, the March of Dimes, and the Boy Scouts of America.

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Adriana Sanchez (left) and Deborah Hutchison (center) presented a workshop

at the 2007 American Humanics Management Institute titled "Advocating for Comprehensive Immigration Reform".

They are joined here by Margaret O'Donnell, UH's Program Director.