Boardroom Bobcats
An experiential program that places MSU upper-level undergraduate and graduate students as non-voting members of nonprofit boards
What if MSU could offer more productive partnerships with nonprofits which meet the
greatest needs in our community, while further engaging students in learning and engagement
through service? That's exactly the question that Leadership Institute director,
Carmen McSpadden, asked when devising this program. Boardroom Bobcats, which places
upper level undergraduate and graduate students on nonprofit boards to serve as non-voting
members for the academic year, launched in August 2016.
The mission of Boardroom Bobcats is to develop students to become catalysts for change who seek life-long commitments to community involvement and board service, creating value and lasting impact for nonprofit organizations and the greater community. As a reciprocal partnership, nonprofits gain insights and a fresh perspective from MSU students while training future board leaders. Students gain practical boardroom experience, familiarity with the nonprofit sector, mentee opportunities and lifelong leadership skills.
The program consists of regular attendance of students at board meetings and complementary leadership trainings in nonprofit board work coordinated by the Leadership Institute.
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the following MSU students were paired with the boards of the nonprofits listed next to their names:
Amir Darabi - Montana Aquatic Resources Services (MARS)
Calvin Servheen - Prospera Business Network
Darby May - Crescent Montana
Hailey Sinoff - Mountain Time Arts
Holly Watson - Livingston Food Resource Center
Jonmichael Weaver - Warriors & Quiet Waters
Lizzie Tobias - Heart of the Valley
Madison Wambeke - Intermountain Opera
Owen Burroughs - Bridgercare
Tyler Noyes - Montana Farm Bureau Federation
Vanessa Zamora Moreno - We Are HER