Nonprofit Leadership students participate in case study in Pittsburgh

Thirteen students in the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Youngstown State University, housed in the Williamson College of Business Administration, participated in a Regional Case Study Exercise at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in Pittsburgh.

The students traveled to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to solve multiple challenge questions addressing issues the organization was facing. The challenge questions dealt specifically with the Trust Education Department on department-specific marketing initiatives and utilization of the Trust Arts Education Center.

The day consisted of a tour of the Benedum Center and August Wilson Center, Q&A with key staff people, brainstorming solutions to the challenge questions, and then a presentation to members of the Trust Education Department. While 13 students participated in the Case Study Exercise, four students served as the Presentation Team. Those four students were Catena Core of Mineral Ridge, Ohio, Tabitha Richmond of Austintown, Ohio, Jenna Roesch of Erie, Pa., Rachel Mae Stanko of Sharon, Pa.

“We plan this Regional Case Study Exercise for our students studying Nonprofit Leadership because it gives them the opportunity to work as consultants, and collaborate with each other to provide solutions to real world challenges at a large, established nonprofit organization,” said Laura Dewberry, director, Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

The exercise provides students seeking the Nonprofit Leadership minor and/or certificate opportunities to network and explore careers outside of the Mahoning Valley. The team building exercise gives students the ability to put skills learned in the classroom to the test as they are working as consultants and providing solutions to current and relevant challenges the host organization is experiencing.

Nonprofit Leadership students at YSU have also participated in Regional Case Study Exercises at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh), COSI (Center for Science and Industry) in Columbus, Catholic Community Foundation in Cleveland, Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

For more information on the exercise or YSU’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership, contact Dewberry at 330-941-1870 or LJMcCaskey@ysu.edu.

Caption: In front of the Trust Arts Education Center in Pittsburgh are, left to right, Tabitha Richmond of Austintown, Ohio; Jenna Roesch of Erie, Pa.; Rachel Mae Stanko of Sharon, Pa.; and Catena Core of Mineral Ridge, Ohio.