Tony Mallon is a testament to the possibilities of, and the need for, higher education in the nonprofit sector. Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations (INPO) from the School of Social Work since 2014, which offers an online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Tony has spent the last ten years expanding the institute’s programs and offerings, which include financial management, fundraising, grant proposal writing, recruitment and management of volunteers and program evaluation.

As demand increased over the years, so too did the number of instructors in the INPO, tripling from two faculty to six. Each brings their own expertise and personal experience to the Institute.

“It’s a testament to the fact that the number of students taking our courses has increased a lot, that we’ve wanted to bring in expertise from the community,” Mallon said. “These are professionals who are part-time instructors, but that’s by intention, because they are bringing in so much hands-on, up-to-date, cutting-edge direct management and leadership experience.”

Mallon himself brings a wealth of experience to the Institute. Though early in his career, he studied biology, worked as a teacher both stateside and in Japan, and sold health club memberships, a conversation with friends opened his eyes to social work. His early social work career was then spent as a counselor for individuals receiving treatment for substance use problems and psychiatric diagnoses.

The INPO now offers undergraduate and graduate certificates available both in-person and online, like the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, which attracts students from schools and colleges across the university, forming a unique and valuable network for them to utilize after graduation.

“The benefit is that the field of nonprofit management is still very young as a profession,” Mallon said. “This degree is very applied, and very specific to the skills needed to run a nonprofit.”

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership prepares nonprofit leaders to guide and shape organizations across diverse fields, including human services, the arts, youth sports, environmental conservation, and more. Designed to equip students with practical, hands-on skills, the program addresses unique challenges and opportunities within the nonprofit sector. Through this certificate, students gain the expertise needed to drive impact in organizations that serve communities and causes, ensuring they are well-positioned to lead in a wide range of mission-driven environments.

Originally reported by UGA Today.

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