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The nonprofit industry is always evolving, and for professionals like Sarah Mudd, gaining additional skills is helpful for moving ahead in the industry.

Mudd joined the Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate program in 2024 with the goal of building skills that were transferable across public policy, community engagement, corporate social responsibility and social impact. As a director of family and community engagement for early childhood education, Mudd hoped to bring specialized skills in areas such as regulatory compliance and networking to her career.

Experience in the Certificate Program

The course in sustainability offered a comprehensive review of critical issues in the world of social impact. From corporate philanthropy, sustainability reporting, DEI, policy advocacy and more, students receive the most up-to-date education to support them in a changing landscape.

“The course had lots of different dimensions of traditional corporate responsibility,” said Mudd. “The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) module was very meaningful because I work with marginalized communities and nonprofits. The other modules on environment and sustainability were fascinating. Everything was meaningful and critical.” 
The certificate program also brings in expert guest speakers from across industries to share best practices. Mudd appreciated that the course wasn’t just about reading. “It was about applying what we learned and supplementing it with guest speakers.” She recalled the DEIB module’s guest speaker Dwinita Mosby Taylor from the Equity Project as an impactful speaker who amplified the content they were learning in class. Another prominent guest speaker, Kavell Brown with LinkedIn, shared the company’s initiatives in corporate giving and employee engagement to build partnerships and solve global challenges. Those real-world experiences were invaluable.

Mudd also valued the opportunity to network with industry professionals. The certificate connects students to a community of more than 500 professional alumni who stay active on LinkedIn and who regularly attend in-person networking events. Being in Colorado and having access to the local network of professionals was a major factor in Mudd’s interest in the program, she said.

Benefits to Nonprofits

“Historically, the only places where you could do good and make an impact on social issues was in nonprofits, education, social services and government roles,” said Mudd. “As more corporations have begun to understand the need to address concerns from a regulatory standpoint, there has been a shift.”

Whether students work for corporations or nonprofits, the ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ sustainability programs, including the certificate, prepare a variety of professionals to make an impact. Sustainability and social impact fundamentals can be implemented across industries and at any career stage because they are shaping how businesses operate.

For nonprofits, these skills support a well-rounded understanding of the value an organization brings as well as the ability to tell the story of the nonprofit, increase funding and identify donors. For corporate employees, purpose-driven businesses will continue to grow.

Joining the Certificate Program

Mudd found the certificate program online and quickly saw that it met her needs. “As a Colorado resident, I was familiar with the university and what it’s known for,” she said. The certificate program draws upon ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ long legacy of sustainability.

“The program feels warm and inclusive,” said Mudd. “Everything was made easy to understand. I felt like students are valued. You can contribute to the conversations no matter your background.”

“Just do it if you’re interested and passionate about the issues,” encouraged Mudd. “For anyone on the fence, there is always something you can get out of this program that will resonate with you and be important to your work.”

Mudd also encourages students who are weighing their options to “Talking with the instructor ahead of time not only made me feel welcomed, but it also clarified that the program would be a good fit for my interests and goals.”

Explore more details about the Sustainability and Social Impact Certificate, with cohorts offered every spring and fall semester.