New Course Aims to Help Nonprofits Create Strong Workplace Culture
This summer, a new course offered through the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at St. John Fisher University will help organizations create a workplace environment that attracts and retains top talent.
The course, Culture, Belonging, & Engagement in Nonprofit Organizations, is the newest addition to the Center’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management. The certificate program includes six courses designed to equip professionals with critical skills and practical training for building resilient and effective organizations.
Dr. Wanda Cooper, director of the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, which houses the Center, said that the new course addresses significant talent retention challenges currently faced by nonprofits.
“We invested in creating this sixth culminating course for the Nonprofit Management Certificate program because the sector is at a critical juncture,” Cooper explained. “Nonprofit leaders are grappling with high employee turnover and an unprecedented need for robust talent retention, which directly threaten their ability to fulfill their vital missions. This course provides the essential, practical tools to build resilient, inclusive, and highly engaged workforces.”
Participants will complete the course with a deeper understanding of the important role a positive organizational culture plays in attracting and retaining top talent; learn how to develop adaptable and practical policies that allow organizations to navigate external shocks and ensure stability; and gain skills to identify and mitigate systemic bias and create equitable policies for accessibility.
“Students in the course will learn how to effectively cultivate psychologically safe environments, implement equitable policies, and drive sustainable impact in their communities,” Cooper added, noting that an environment where employees feel valued is a direct imperative for mission achievement. “It’s a direct response to the urgent need for strategic talent retention and fostering positive organizational health in the nonprofit world.”
The course will be taught by Dr. Kesha Carter ’25Ed.D., who serves as the director of culture, belonging, and engagement for the Gates Chili Central School District, where she leads strategies to strengthen workplace culture, elevate workforce engagement, and increase access for all students, staff, and families. With more than 17 years of experience in leading organizational change and facilitating culture-building efforts, Carter has designed and delivered training, coaching, and strategic consulting engagements across the country. She holds the Certified Diversity Executive credential, a Six Sigma Green Belt, and a Professional in Human Resources certification. Her work has earned national recognition, including being named one of the “Top 50 Women We Admire” in 2024 and DEI Executive of the Year in 2023 by HireQuotient.
Professionals can enroll in the course as a stand-alone experience or as part of the comprehensive path toward earning the Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Pre-registration is required and will begin in spring 2026. For more information about the Center for Nonprofit Leadership, email Melanie Phillips at mphillips@sjf.edu or call (585) 899-3769.