Mary Beth Collins
Executive Director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies (the "CommNS")
Director of Centers Engagement and Professional Skills Courses, School of Human Ecology, UW-Madison
I have professional experience as a teacher, attorney, and nonprofit director, and have always been passionate about the strength and well-being of communities, families, and mission-based enterprises. I have dedicated much of my career and free time to the “third sector”, and wish to play a role in a critical exploration of the full potential of this sector for the future well-being of communities and society. It is a true pleasure to continue this journey at SoHE, with its long tradition of multidisciplinary and applied work focused on individual, family, and community thriving. Through my work as Executive Director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies (the “CommNS”), Director of Centers Engagement, and in developing and delivering our SoHE Professional Skills Courses, my aim is to facilitate processes and learning that will harness our University of Wisconsin-Madison and SoHE assets in authentic collaboration with community partners, to make advances in the role of community and nonprofit organizations and campus partnerships to ultimately make a better Wisconsin, and a better world. It is truly an honor to work with so many amazing faculty members, staff, students, and community partners as collective purveyors of the Wisconsin Idea! Forward!
Connect Information
Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies (the "CommNS")
The CommNS builds capacity and knowledge in community and nonprofit studies through the integration of action, research, education, outreach, engagement, and evaluation. It provides an inspiring place for UW faculty, students, and CommNS affiliates to conduct groundbreaking applied research examining key issues in communities and the civic and nonprofit sectors. The CommNS facilitates exchanges among community members, practitioners, and academic scholars to encourage and support innovative thinking, best practice development, and mutually beneficial research partnerships, technical support, and community-engaged projects and learning. If you would like more information about the CommNS, visit there website.