Student Highlight: Sarah Vaughn

Meet Sarah Vaughn, a 2nd-year MPA student who is working as a graduate assistant for a local nonprofit organization. The MPA program asked her a few questions about her experience:
 

Where are you doing your graduate assistantship and what does the organization do?

        I am doing my graduate assistantship at First Step House. First Step House is a substance abuse disorder treatment center. They offer a range of services including residential treatment, outpatient treatment, long-term recovery management, transitional housing, case management, and evidence-based therapies. 


What are your duties with the organization?

         I worked directly with the Director of Development and help with day-to-day operations. I assist in writing grants and proposals. Furthermore, I research potential donors and foundations that would be interested in funding our program.        

How has your assistantship helped you with your academic/career goals?

      Before starting my assistantship, I had a vague idea of how the nonprofit sector worked. After engaging with the executive staff, I have gained so much knowledge of the nonprofit sector and how First Step House accomplishes their goals and plans. By working directly with the Development Director, I have learned so much about how to build relationships with foundations and corporations. Thus, in my nonprofit courses everything becomes much simpler, it becomes a matter of understanding rather than memorizing. Moreover, doing this assistantship gave me the opportunity to network and learn from an amazing team (First Step House). 

 

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