William A. Brown, NACC President

William A. Brown
President, NACC
Professor, Bush School of Government and Public Service
Director, Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Director, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management
Holder of the Mary Julia and George Jordan Professorship
Texas A&M University

Greetings!

Another academic term is starting for many of us. The academic calendar is one of my favorite parts of being a professor. The chance to start anew with renewed plans and high hopes for a successful fall. We all know things never quite come together as we plan, nevertheless we start refreshed and hopeful!

What a wonderful time we had at the 2023 Biennial Conference in Auburn, Alabama! It was an intimate group that allowed for real and significant conversations. The conference planning was impeccable, presentations and talks outstanding, and our hosts rolled out true southern hospitality. It was a wonderful week to reflect on our roles and purposes in turbulent times. I am reminded yet again how fortunate we are to build programs and foster careful dialogue on topics that contribute to some of the most important principles and institutions in our communities. The conference ended with a trip to Montgomery, Alabama where we had a historic tour of civil rights landmarks and then visited the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice. These are amazing institutions – I highly recommend a visit. These institutions highlight a vital aspect of American history that I for one do not fully understand. It reflects both the higher ideals of who we hope to be and the baser aspects of human nature. A powerful afternoon. May your fall term achieve its full potential and I look forward to seeing many of you at our fall conferences.

All the best,

William A. Brown, NACC President

William A. Brown
President, NACC
Professor, Bush School of Government and Public Service
Director, Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Director, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management
Holder of the Mary Julia and George Jordan Professorship
Texas A&M University

Greetings and happy summer!

We are excited about the upcoming 2023 Biennial Conference in Auburn, Alabama! We look forward to welcoming many of you to this highly anticipated event. NACC’s biennial conference brings together a global network of researchers and practitioners for discussion, reflection, and sharing of research, resources and best practices surrounding nonprofit/NGO and Philanthropic Studies in higher education. With a lineup of excellent sessions, it promises to be a fantastic opportunity to expand your knowledge and reconnect with old friends.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Peter Weber and Kelly Krawczyk for graciously hosting us on their beautiful campus. Their generosity has made this event possible, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thanks as well to the conference sponsors!!

At a time when nonprofit education programs in higher education are facing unique challenges, this conference aims to address how our programs can connect to the world, celebrate diversity, and build resiliency in our Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies Curricula. The roles and functions of nonprofits as service providers, community organizers, and policy actors are crucial in strengthening the core features of our society, and it’s vital that we come together to explore innovative educational approaches.

The nonprofit landscape is continuously evolving, with the number and diversity of organizations steadily growing. However, we are witnessing a decline in volunteerism and philanthropic participation. Simultaneously, the higher education environment has become increasingly competitive and intricate as student demand has shifted and, in some cases, even declined.

Join us in Auburn this July for a stimulating conversation that delves into these crucial topics. We anticipate a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives that will shape the future of nonprofit education programs in higher education. And just for fun I used ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, to provide suggestions and assistance in crafting this essay!

Mark your calendars and make sure to be a part of this incredible event!

All the best,