American Humanics Program wins national award for excellence

The American Humanics Nonprofit Administration Program at California State University, Fresno was recognized for excellence for the fourth time in four years at the annual Humanics Management Institute held in San Diego, Jan. 4-7.
 
Fresno State received the “Excellence in Community Relations and Civic Engagement Award,” one of seven national awards presented. Leslie Gacad of Fresno, a post-baccalaureate Fresno State student, was one of five students nationwide selected for the 2007 AH Management Institute Advisory Council. She will assist with the planning and implementation of next year’s institute.
 
The American Humanics Program, an applied training program offered through the Sociology Department in the College of Social Sciences, works with hundreds of nonprofit agencies in the Central San Joaquin Valley to recruit and prepare students and community members to strengthen and lead nonprofit organizations
 
Fourteen Fresno State students were among the 650 participants from 65 colleges and universities participating in the conference, whose theme was “Broadening Horizons: Cultures, Communities and Careers.” The Fresno State were Candice Blair and Michelle Colvin of Visalia, Bryana Gaede-Ballinger of Clovis, Kate Henry of Sacramento, Debra Kusick of Porterville, Sandra Acosta, Leslie Gacad, Lyne Hernandez, Adriana Garcia, Kham Lee, Jill Hufft and Julie Xiong of Fresno, Maria Macias of Reedley and Deborah Napoleon of San Antonio, Texas.

Additionally, Fresno State President Dr. Welty and Dr. Matthew Jendian, assistant professor of sociology and director of the American Humanics Program at Fresno State, presented a workshop addressing the university’s commitment to equal access to higher education and the importance civic engagement.
 
During the 2004-05, American Humanics students from Fresno State volunteered at events and interned with 13 nonprofit agencies, contributing 2,595 hours to the community.
 
For more information, please go to the following Web site:
http://socsci.csufresno.edu/department_pages/humanics.htm