Two Rockhurst nonprofit leadership students have received national scholarship awards for their commitment and service to others. Junior Leah Schaak and senior Bryan Woita have each been selected to receive the prestigious Next Generation Nonprofit Leaders Program (NextGen) Scholarship Award from American Humanics (AH), a national alliance of colleges and universities and nonprofits dedicated to developing future nonprofit leaders.

Rockhurst has long enjoyed a fruitful partnership with American Humanics, with many students being awarded the NextGen scholarship since the program’s inception. NextGen is designed to help recipients complete their AH certification – a renowned training and development program for future leaders.

Schaak and Woita both have compiled rich service records. Schaak is the Nonprofit Partnerships Intern at the AH national office and an active volunteer with several organizations, including Youth Friends and AIDS Walk Kansas City. In fall 2008, Woita became the first intern in Rockhurst University’s Advancement Office, assisting with annual giving and special event initiatives, among his other service activities. He currently holds an internship with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City in volunteer and staff recruitment and retention.

With the addition of Schaak and Woita, nine Rockhurst students have been named NextGen leaders since the program’s inception in 2007.

In additional American Humanics activities, six Rockhurst students attended the annual American Humanics/Leadership Institute in January. This symposium is the capstone educational experience for students earning their AH Certification in nonprofit leadership and management. The conference provides a unique opportunity for students to interact with nonprofit executives, participate in case studies, and even interview for nonprofit professional positions.