MTSU graduate students gain nonprofit leadership training in Washington, D.C.

By Mike Davis

Two students in Middle Tennessee State University’s Master of Arts in International Affairs program, Kehinde Olomu and Sumaya Tasnim, had their interest in the nonprofit sector reinforced after attending The Washington Center’s Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy Seminar in Washington, D.C.

The weeklong program brought together students and early-career professionals from across the United States and several countries for intensive training in nonprofit management, fundraising, advocacy and leadership. The seminar included expert speakers, a team-based project and opportunities to build professional networks in the nation’s nonprofit and policy hub.

Tasnim is from Bangladesh, while Olomu is from Nigeria. Both students came to MTSU with a strong interest in public service and international affairs and plan to apply what they learned to future work serving communities at home and abroad.

The Nov. 11-16 seminar focused on how nonprofits translate mission into action. Participants explored governance, compliance, financial sustainability, advocacy and organizational leadership. They also worked in teams to address real challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.

Kehinde Olomu, left, and Sumaya Tasnim, graduate students from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., pause for a selfie at The Washington Center in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12. The two MTSU Master of Arts in International Affairs students participated in the center’s Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy Seminar focused on nonprofit management and leadership development. (Submitted photo)

In addition to coursework, the Master of Arts in International Affairs program, or MAIA, in the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU offers students broad interdisciplinary preparation and is the only program of its kind in Tennessee. It allows students to specialize in international development, human security, and globalization; international security and peace studies; area studies with regional or country-specific focus; or global justice and human rights.

Olomu’s experience

Olomu learned about the opportunity through MTSU’s Department of Political and Global Affairs and applied directly to the center.

Kehinde Olomu, a graduate student at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., poses for a photo on Nov. 14 at The Washington Center’s Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy Seminar in Washington, D.C. She said the seminar strengthened her communication, public speaking and teamwork skills while connecting her with nonprofit leaders from around the world. She is a Master of Arts in International Affairs student with the goal of returning to her home country of Nigeria to start her own nonprofit agency. (Submitted photo)

“I’m deeply interested in nonprofit organizations,” Olomu said. “I want to understand how they work and how to build one so I can help people.”

She will graduate in May 2026 and plans to complete her practicum with a nonprofit organization.

“This program helped me learn more about fundraising, operations, strategic planning and advocacy,” Olomu said. “It reaffirmed why I want to work in this field.”

Her academic interests and professional goals stand out to faculty.

Dr. Jon DiCicco

“Kehinde is a special individual; she can brighten an entire room with her lively presence and personal magnetism,” said Jon DiCicco, professor of political and global affairs. “Together with her expected master’s degree from MTSU, her experience in The Washington Center’s Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy Seminar and her upcoming practicum, Kehinde’s winning personality and ability to persevere under adversity will serve her well as she pursues a career in international affairs.”

Olomu said resilience was one of her biggest takeaways. Hearing from nonprofit leaders who were also immigrants made a strong impression. Her project team included students from several countries and addressed financial sustainability and crisis management. She said the experience strengthened her communication, teamwork and public speaking skills.

After graduation, Olomu plans to return to Nigeria and establish a nonprofit organization focused on supporting refugees and internally displaced individuals, with a particular emphasis on women and children.

Tasnim’s experience

Tasnim applied through Political and Global Affairs and received a scholarship to attend the seminar. She said hearing directly from nonprofit leaders was especially valuable.

“The part I enjoyed most was hearing directly from nonprofit leaders who shared honest stories about their work, challenges and impact,” Tasnim said. “Listening to them discuss leadership, advocacy and navigating real-world organizational challenges helped me understand the nonprofit sector on a much deeper level.”

Sumaya Tasnim, a graduate student at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., poses for a photo on Nov. 16 at The Washington Center’s Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy Seminar in Washington, D.C. The Master of Arts in International Affairs student received a departmental scholarship to attend the seminar, which deepened her interest in policy, development and international nonprofit work. She is from Bangladesh and has goals of pursuing nonprofit work in policy, development, and international affairs. (Submitted photo)

Tasnim previously worked for a nonprofit organization in Bangladesh. Her long-term goal is to work in policy, development and international affairs.

Dr. Amy Atchison, chair and professor, MTSU Department of Political Science and International Relations — Dr. Amy Atchison

“This seminar helped me strengthen that foundation by exposing me to advocacy, fundraising, communication and leadership strategies used in the U.S. nonprofit sector,” Tasnim said. “The experience gave me practical insight into how organizations translate their mission into impact, which will help me become a stronger leader and more effective policy practitioner.”

She also expressed deep gratitude for receiving the department’s scholarship.

“I am deeply honored and privileged to be considered for this scholarship, especially among such a competitive group of applicants,” Tasnim said. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Political and Global Affairs at MTSU for its continuous support. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Amy Atchison, Dr. Jonathan DiCicco and Ms. Kayla McCrary for their unwavering trust in my abilities and their invaluable guidance throughout this process. I hope this opportunity will advance my career and allow me to bring pride to my department and the academic community.”

MTSU support

The opportunity was coordinated through the Political and Global Affairs Department and MTSU’s partnership with The Washington Center. McCrary, professional development coordinator for the department, said this was the first time they sent students to one of the center’s short-term seminar programs.

“Like many universities across Tennessee, we partner with TWC to facilitate semester-long internship opportunities in Washington, D.C.,” McCrary said. “This is the first time that we have sent students to their short-term seminar programs.”

She said the seminar was a strong fit for graduate students balancing multiple responsibilities.

“I wanted to send a Master of Arts in International Affairs graduate student to this seminar because it is short-term and doable for students managing work, family and graduate studies,” she said. “The Washington Center also provides high-quality housing, guidance for participants and a welcoming environment. It gives students interested in nonprofits a strong understanding of the hub of activity in Washington.”

McCrary encouraged students to plan ahead when considering opportunities like this seminar.

“Know about opportunities early so you can plan around your academic, personal and financial commitments,” she said.

— Michael Davis (Michael.Davis2@mtsu.edu)