The Spring 2021 semester marked a return to a more normal classroom environment in MNGT 411. Our class met in person, socially distanced and masked, twice a week in Hawks Hall. While the past year has taught us how much can be accomplished over Zoom, gathering together in the same room continues to be the most effective way for members of MNGT 411 to communicate and form connections with one another.
All semester, UNL took precautions to ensure a safe campus environment. Every student, faculty and staff member coming to campus was required to have regular COVID-19 saliva testing in order to gain building access. This, along with the concern for public safety, meant that not every aspect of the grant process could occur in person.
We continued to hear from expert guest speakers via Zoom, and the process of selecting grant recipients began with Zoom interviews of 25 nonprofit leaders. Members of the class participated in virtual service projects with nine different local nonprofits. Our 12 site visits took place over Zoom, as did our April 21 virtual grant celebration. Without question, technology enabled us to continue learning and serving the community through the Strive to Thrive Lincoln project.
After much deliberation and thoughtful discussion, members of the class selected Visionary Youth and South of Downtown Community Development Organization as the Spring 2021 Strive to Thrive Lincoln grant recipients. Read more about each of these nonprofits in the stories below!