Across Connecticut, many nonprofits are on the cusp of a crisis. Federal funding cuts, flat or reduced state budgets, and mounting workforce challenges have created a cascade of concerns for community organizations. While many efforts to address these issues focus on immediate solutions, proactive approaches also provide necessary support — safeguarding the future of these essential organizations.
One way to achieve this is by investing in the development of the individuals who keep these organizations running. Six rising leaders from Hartford-area nonprofits are taking a big step forward — both in their careers and in the influence they have on their communities. Thanks to full scholarships to Goodwin University’s Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program, these professionals will gain the tools, strategies, and confidence to strengthen their organizations at a critical time.
Individual growth — community impact
Nurturing the growth of local leaders to sustain nonprofits is a method anchored in evidence. Research demonstrates that well-prepared nonprofit leaders fortify their organizations’ financial security, upgrade employee retention, enhance operational efficiency, and expand community impact.
This summer, these factors underpinned a significant new initiative at Goodwin: inviting nonprofits across the region to nominate candidates for its new scholarship. The response was overwhelming: nearly four times more nominations came in than expected, illustrating the urgent need for leadership development and the increasing demand for support in today’s sociopolitical climate.
For Goodwin Founder and President Mark E. Scheinberg, the initiative speaks directly to the University’s mission. “Goodwin University describes itself as a community-based organization. We exist to uplift our community, as a leader and a social and educational hub. One way to leverage our impact is to support our colleagues at other critical local nonprofits.”
He adds, “At Goodwin University, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting change — for individuals, their families, and their communities.”
A snapshot of our scholars
Behind every scholarship is a story — a leader with a deep-seated commitment to their community, the motivation to inspire change, and the resolve to carry it forward.
The inaugural awardees of Goodwin’s MSOL scholarships embody this spirit. Their journeys underscore not only the doors advanced education can open, but also the profound influence of effective and empathetic leadership within the nonprofit sector.
Tyler Havens — Hartford Land Bank
“Currently, I am the director of operations at Hartford Land Bank, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that acquires vacant, blighted, abandoned, and/or tax delinquent properties, including structures and vacant lots from the City of Hartford. We work with local developers, nonprofits, and community organizations to renovate dilapidated properties, construct new housing, or find alternative options for vacant lot reactivation.
Now more than ever, I plan to expand my network, spread my roots, and elevate my leadership skills in the area where I grew up. While the nonprofit world is currently a challenging sector to work in given our country’s division, I am eager to grow the organization I work at while simultaneously improving my personal and professional skills and attributes. All of this is in an effort to grow into the leader I know I can be.”
Danielle Chenard — Connecticut Children’s
“I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to accept the MSOL Scholarship. This award carries immense personal significance, as it enables me, as the first in my family to earn a college degree, to achieve a second master’s — thereby fundamentally redefining my family’s educational legacy. My master of Public Health (MPH) provided a robust foundation in healthcare administration, and this MSOL scholarship powerfully affirms my dedication to advanced knowledge and leadership, fueling my ambition to impact public health and organizational development at the highest level.
Receiving this MSOL Scholarship extends beyond financial assistance; it is a vital investment in my potential to generate a profound and lasting impact. This support empowers me to cultivate advanced strategic thinking and innovative solutions, applying them to complex challenges within healthcare and academic environments, and further developing as a highly accomplished and results-oriented leader.”
Michelle Szynkowicz — Catalyst Consulting LLC
“I strive to challenge the status quo by bringing humanity and love to all spaces, leading with empathy and prioritizing relationships in both my professional and personal life. The fact that the panel of folks recognized my genuine passion and desire to be part of this program, and ultimately chose me as a scholarship recipient, is extremely validating and makes me feel seen in a way I didn’t anticipate.
Financially, I could not afford a master’s program, and to have this opportunity and door opened through the full scholarship is quite literally life-changing for me! Words can’t adequately express my gratitude. I do not take this opportunity for granted and understand what a privilege and blessing it is to have earned a scholarship. I plan to make the absolute most of my experience and hopefully give back to the program and community as a result.”
Leading the way to a better tomorrow
As these six scholarship awardees advance in their studies, they will hone their leadership skills, thereby amplifying the power of their nonprofit organizations — and by extension, inspire change in local communities.
This initiative is more than an educational opportunity; it is a testament to Goodwin’s commitment to building resilient, community-centered leadership.
Eager to see what lies ahead for this innovative initiative, President Scheinberg reflects on its relevance in the current sociopolitical climate. “By awarding these MSOL scholarships, we are not only investing in the professional growth of people, we’re also strengthening the organizations that so many families across our state rely on — especially at a time when resources are stretched thin. When local nonprofits thrive, our entire region thrives.”
Ready to inspire change? Become the leader you always wished you had with Goodwin’s MSOL program! Discover how you can get started today — and begin your journey to building a better tomorrow.
Bri Gagné is a content developer at Goodwin University, bringing backgrounds in literary studies, creative storytelling, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and social justice. They earned their bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Film Studies, and Gender Studies from University of Connecticut and a master’s in Elementary Education from Eastern Connecticut State University.
After teaching English abroad and locally, Bri transitioned to a full-time writing career, contributing to the University’s educational narratives and brand-building efforts. They are currently earning their Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College.