Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is thrilled to welcome four students from Northern Illinois University as the presenters for the November 2020 YEP meeting. The student presenters are all part of NIU’s Center for Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization studies. The topic for the meeting will focus on nonprofits and answer questions such as: What are nonprofits? Why are they important? Who are the local nonprofits?

YEP members will come away from this meeting with a basic and well rounded understanding of the importance and role of nonprofits in any community. This education is an important step to learning more about philanthropy and grantmaking. Learn more about the NIU NNGO Ambassadors presenters below.

Emma:

Hi! I’m Emma McMahon, I am a double-major in Sociology and Nonprofit and NGO studies I am also working on a minor in Women and Gender Studies. I grew up in a really small town in southern Illinois called Flora. DeKalb is about four hours north of my hometown. I am the Fundraising VP for Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity; the President of the NIU Sociology Club; an NNGO Ambassador; University Honors Program; and Internship with the NIU Foundation in advancement/donor relations. I chose Nonprofit and NGO Studies because I knew that it would help prepare me to work in a field that I was passionate about. I want to be able to help people and make social change. NNGO is helping build the foundation that I need to enter the nonprofit sector, but also helping me build stronger advocacy and social movement skills.

Sammie:

Hi everyone! I’m Sammie Musielak and I’m a Nonprofit/NGO studies major with a minor in Sociology. I’m currently living in DeKalb but I’m originally from Batavia, IL (about 35-40 mins from here). I’m involved in Circle K International as the District Membership Education Chair and the chapter’s Secretary/Treasurer, so it keeps me busy. I chose NNGO because of my passion for volunteering and animal welfare. I hope that one day I can own a nonprofit animal shelter to make a difference in the lives of animals that need it most.

Juliana:

My name is Juliana Casner from Bloomington- Normal, IL and this is my second year with the NNGO Ambassadors. I am a double major in Political Science and Nonprofit Studies. I am currently an intern at the Lions of Illinois Foundation. I am also the service Chairwoman for a service sorority on campus called Sigma Lambda Sigma. I chose nonprofit studies because I want to make a difference in the world. By being a nonprofit major and political science major, I am learning about the impact that nonprofits have in a community.

Austin:

I’m Austin Schroeder and I am majoring in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organizations Studies at Northern. I am from Sycamore, IL and I really enjoy being involved on campus and in the community. I am an NNGO Ambassador, former intern with Walcamp, and have worked with the Sycamore United Methodist Church’s Life Missions. I chose my major because it is very broad in subject matter and there are many ways/places that I can go with this degree. It also goes hand in hand with my desire to help others and make connections through that.