College continues non-profit apprenticeship program

Grinnell College has chosen six new students to serve partner organizations in the Grinnell community through the Apprenticeships in Non-Profit Management program. The program, inaugurated last year, places Grinnell College students in paid positions with local non-profit organizations. The program’s unique structure, most notably the one-year commitment of students to their organization, offers many benefits to the apprentices and their host organizations. Student apprentices benefit from the time the non-profit directors invest in their professional growth and skill development. Host organizations find the consistency of student labor provided by the full-year commitment advantageous. The program also facilitates networking opportunities for the apprentices and their non-profits through weekly lunch meetings, which have resulted in new collaborations on projects. Last year’s apprentices worked until late July, providing invaluable help with community-wide events such as RAGBRAI. The new apprentices returned to campus earlier than their fellow students and have been working in their host organizations since late August. Grace Carroll is working at Poweshiek Iowa Development. She is a senior sociology major from Pasadena, Calif. She applied to become an apprentice to pursue a deeper personal connection with the town and gain non-profit work experience. When she is not hard at work at Pow I-80, she participates in Grinnell College theatre productions, coordinates the Neverland Players, and teaches courses at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Emily Stanfield of Lincoln, Neb., a senior sociology major with a concentration in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies, has joined the Imagine Grinnell staff. Emily first became involved with Imagine Grinnell during her junior year when she served as a work-study intern. Her work in the organization is driven by her passion for sustainable living. She is heavily involved in sustainability programming on campus, working with the Vegan Coop, Local Foods Coop, and living in EcoHouse. Lea Greenberg is a second-year German major from Lawrence, Kan., now working with the Grinnell Area Arts Council. She applied to be an apprentice to become more involved in the town of Grinnell and foster the growth of visual, musical and theatrical art. She is excited to learn more about non-profit management and improve awareness of the arts in Grinnell. Anna-Lisa Bowans, now working for the Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, is a senior economics major and global development studies concentrator from Iowa City. She pursued the apprentice program to become more involved in the broader Grinnell community and hone critical skills in non-profit management. Beyond her work at the Ahrens Foundation, she co-leads Global Commons, a new student group on campus, and coordinates Hindi Chai Time. Casey Strickler, a senior political science major from Chicago, Ill., is apprenticed at the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce. She applied to work as an apprentice to further her understanding of community building. Besides her work at the Chamber, she is an active member of the Grinnell College swim team and pursues the study of Arabic. Maddie Gardner, now working in the Grinnell College Office of Community Enhancement & Engagement, is a senior anthropology major and global development studies concentrator from Eagan, Minn. Maddie became an apprentice to expand her knowledge of the Grinnell community and enhance her understanding of non-profit management. She also serves as a member of the Grinnell College Debating Union and enjoys teaching classes for the Grinnell Prison Program. For more information about the program, the apprentices, or the organizations, please contact Melissa Strovers or visit the Community Enhancement and Engagementwebsite.