The UT College of Social Work (UTCSW) is celebrating a major milestone in nonprofit education. In the fall of 2025, the first cohort of bachelor’s students enrolled in SW465, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, took the national exam as part of the requirements for the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential. The results were remarkable. An astounding 94% of the students passed the exam on the first try with an average score of 92%. This achievement not only sets a new standard of excellence but also highlights the strength of the UTCSW’s commitment to preparing future leaders in the nonprofit sector.
Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Areis Lurry developed the course, which he intentionally aligned with the CNP credential through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.
Q: How does the class help to prepare the students for taking the national exam?
Lurry: This course is intentionally aligned with the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Every module connects directly to the competencies students are tested on, including governance, financial management, fundraising, ethics, human resources, social marketing, and strategic leadership.
We don’t just review concepts. The students actually apply them. They conduct SWOT analyses, develop grant proposals, analyze real funding opportunities, and complete volunteer hours that connect theory to practice. By the time they sit for the national exam, they aren’t just memorizing terminology; they understand how nonprofit organizations function. One of the main goals is to give them confidence. When students finish this course, they’re not guessing on the exam, they are recognizing material they’ve already practiced.
Q: Do you foresee a substantial number of students going into the nonprofit sector after graduation?
Lurry: Absolutely. Tennessee has a strong and growing nonprofit ecosystem, and the workforce demand is real. A recent Urban Institute brief noted that in 2022, Tennessee’s 38,266 nonprofits generated 209,998 jobs, representing 7.7 percent of the state’s private workforce. They also found that 44 percent of staffed Tennessee nonprofits reported employee vacancies in 2025, with many organizations anticipating additional hiring in the year ahead. That tells me there is a strong demand for college graduates who understand nonprofit leadership and management. This course helps students build that foundation while working toward the nationally recognized CNP credential, which gives them a meaningful advantage in a competitive talent pool.
Q: What would your advice be for a student interested in nonprofit work after graduation? Are there specific steps you would advise them to take on this journey?
Lurry: First, get experience early: volunteer in your community, pursue internships, and plug into campus life through student organizations, service clubs, advocacy groups, and any organization connected to national nonprofits. The more you are around the work, the faster you learn.
Second, understand the business side of mission-driven work. Nonprofits are passion-driven, but they also require financial literacy, strategic engagement, and strong governance. Develop those skills intentionally.
Third, build relationships. The nonprofit world is deeply relational, so show up, stay curious, and learn how connections turn into collaboration. Attend events, connect with nonprofit associations and practitioners, and pay attention to how partnerships are built in real time. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) is a great place to start for events, training, and statewide connections, and it’s absolutely free to join.
And finally, stay rooted in your “why.” Nonprofit work is often demanding, but it’s deeply meaningful. When your efforts are grounded in purpose and community, that’s what keeps you going.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Lurry: This course is designed to prepare students not only to enter the workforce, but to lead with integrity, clarity, and purpose. As one of only 28 university partners with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, UT Knoxville gives students access to a nationally recognized credential and a real advantage as they pursue careers in the social good sector. Nonprofit organizations are the backbone of communities—and when students are prepared well, they don’t just get jobs; they help strengthen the systems that support families, neighborhoods, and entire regions. That’s why I encourage students to take this course: it’s practical, grounded, and built for immediate impact.