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Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association celebrates the 2021 graduating seniors
Seniors, friends and family, and members of the nonprofit community gather at the 2021 Drop-In Senior Celebration to congratulate the graduating NLASA students on Saturday, April 17, at the Garden of Dreams in Encanto Park in Phoenix, Ariz. "I am just so proud of this class and what they've been able to accomplish this year," said Anne Kotleba, program coordinator of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance at ASU.
April 21, 2021 (Phoenix, Ariz.) – The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association at Arizona State University honored its 10 graduating seniors on Monday during the 2021 virtual NLASA Senior Celebration, via Zoom. Friends and family, alumni, and the nonprofit community supported the graduates as they left ASU with their new credentials, ready to embrace their careers as Certified Nonprofit Professionals (CNP). This year, graduates received praise and congratulations for their teamwork and creativity during an unpredictable year.
The seniors also celebrated in person last weekend at Phoenix's Encanto Park during a drop-in event.
The 2021 Nonprofit Leadership Alliance graduates and new CNPs include:
- Gabby E. Settembre, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Meredith Clements, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Minor in Business, Certificate in Special Events Management
- Farrah Ashcraft, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Candice Holland, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Yami Martinez, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- LeeAndra S.D Matthews, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Bernadette V. Silva, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Minor in Music
- Stephanie N. Pham, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Lois Sygrove, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Decora Stevens, B.S. Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Minor in French
“My experience in the program has been incredible. I am so thankful I was able to join before COVID and see how things ran before and during the pandemic,” Gabrielle Settembre, director of recruitment and retention association and NLASA graduate, said. “I have grown into my own leadership style, made incredible friendships along the way, and gained confidence in my public speaking and professional development skills. This program showed me what I am capable of, and it gave me an amazing community and support network that I can rely on. The NLASA is such a great opportunity that I think everyone should join if they get the chance to.”
Anne Kotleba, program coordinator of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, noted that this year’s class “has had to adapt, create, and problem solve in ways that nobody anticipated and nobody had to deal with before,” which made graduation “even more exceptional.” Kotleba said that despite the many obstacles, “they've truly persevered through some of the most challenging and just frustrating times, and they've done it with joy and enthusiasm and they're still passionate about what they're doing.” She said she is genuinely proud of this class and what they've been able to accomplish thus far.
“Since joining the program I have learned so much about myself as a student, a leader, and overall individual…” said LeeAndra Matthews, NLASA 2021 graduate. “I have learned over the past few years how to be vulnerable in my actions, how critical thinking is one of the best strategies to use toward service-learning, and most importantly to me, I learn that my story, background, and mission are valid, that I am enough. I can’t express the overwhelming joy that comes over me when I think of the opportunities and challenges that I’ve experienced.”
Thank you to all the students, staff, alumni, and local nonprofit partner organizations that joined us to celebrate the seniors receiving their nationally recognized Certified Nonprofit Professional credential.