Washington Initiative

Course Description

The Washington Initiative is a two (2) credit course that is open to Kogod School of Business undergraduate students with at least 30 credits, or permission from the instructor. The course is intended to provide students with practical experience through event coordination for a nonprofit agency. Through these interactions, students will apply academic skills in management, leadership, and organizational behavior while contributing to the local community and learning about non-profit organizations.

Learning Outcomes

By participating in the Washington Initiative program, students will:

Increase their understanding of the relationship between community service and business education as well as practical ways to apply business education to philanthropic or business endeavors.
Engage in community service and critical reflection in order to gain a deeper understanding of issues related to transitional housing, poverty, diversity and civic engagement.
Explore and develop personal values of service through critical analysis of social issues, reflection, and practice.
Gain skills in non profit management, including operations, volunteer management, financial operations, and presentation.

Course Meetings

Ten (10) class meetings will be required and additional meetings will vary based on student schedules, service and event needs. The first course meeting will be Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. and most other meetings will be at this time. This course does require off-campus travel to our partner non-profit agency for an introductory meeting and service projects.

Expectations

Students will be evaluated through reflection papers, professional memos, presentations, involvement on a Blackboard site, event participation and a final portfolio. Specific guidelines will be provided on the syllabus.

Requirements & Registration

Students must have 30 credits to enroll for KSB-252. In addition, students should have a genuine interest in community service, non-profit management and skill development as this course is team-based and connected to results for a non-profit community agency.