about neXt
Nonprofit Excellence and Transformation (NExT) is a for-credit experiential learning fellowship. Using a community engagement model, students work in teams of 3-4 to address real-world problems as researchers and consultants for local nonprofits. Students from any major who are interested in learning more about the nonprofit world and/or students looking to bring Siena's social justice mission to life are a great fit for the NExT Fellowship!
WhY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
As a NExT Fellow, you will:
- Gain real world skills and experience from helping improve a local nonprofit organization and the Capital Region community.
- Engage with organizations in a consultant role, diving deep into the operations and finding ways to improve their capacity to help others.
- Practice and apply skills from your major and minor. We focus on policy research, program analysis, marketing and communications, and data analysis, which means we have a project for every major and area of interest.
- Gain tangible experience to highlight on your resume and in interviews! Each NExT Fellowship project concludes with a deliverable to the partner, and the work you do will materially impact the nonprofit.
Program Requirements:
NExT Fellows from any major and year may be a good fit for NExT. All students must be interviewed by the Assistant Director for NExT to ensure fit with the program.
Here are some expectations for the program:
- NExT Fellows receive 0-3 credits for their project work, and the credits may count toward elective credits or a Certificate in Community Development.
- The NExT Fellowship meets for a class on Wednesday nights from 6-8 pm, where you will learn community engagement skills, develop dialogue and leadership skills, and workshop your projects with other NExT teams.
- Serve mostly, or entirely, remotely for your non-profit partner.
- You may choose to participate for one semester or to continue in the program if you are interested in developing more skills!
- If you are interested in developing your community engagement skills, you may choose to continue in NExT to complete a Certificate in Community Development at Siena College.
NExT Fellow Publications
If you'd like to learn more about how our students and partner grow in our three pillars "Relationship, Leadership, Action" please read this article published in 2022 below!
Explore a student's first-hand account about how NExT, and community engagement in the program, helped bring meaning to a former Fellow's education at Siena.
| Current Projects | |
Bring on the Spectrum |
The Bring on the Spectrum team, which will run from fall 2025 through spring 2026, will investigate current job training opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and exploration of possible collaborations and /or new programs to develop pathways to employment here in the Capital Region. Fellows on the project will have the opportunity to not only research job training programs but also conduct interviews with parents and staff administrators to learn more about the gaps and opportunities. Students interested in research, education, and strategic planning would be great fits on this project! |
C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios |
The team working with C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios is developing outreach efforts for their new location in Troy and developing measures to evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes. Students interested in social work, psychology, and data-informed strategic planning in businesses/nonprofits would be good fits for this project in Fall 2026! |
Center for Law and Justice |
NExT Fellows are analyzing quantitative survey data on Albany resident's perspectives about restorative justice. Ideally, the results from the analysis will support Initiatives at the Center for Law and Justice as well as a report to New York State. Students interested in criminal justice, policy, and data analysis would be great fits for this project.
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Community schools address the holistic needs of a student in order to ensure they thrive and succeed academically. One way universities can assist schools to reach these goals is through staffing and supporting health clinics in schools. Since Albany, Schenectady, and Troy all have community schools, this project is investigating the feasibility of putting a health clinic in a community school. Students interested in health, social work, and school policy are good fits for this project! |
Capstone Project on Leadership Development |
NExT develops leadership, relationship, and action skills, but what are best practices for community engaged leaders? Two capstone students are collaborating to develop a robust and comprehensive tool that includes best practices for Team Leaders to ensure program sustainability and continued personal and professional development in our program. |