Woodside Scholars Program
Paving the way for future nonprofit leaders.
The Woodside Scholars Program prepares students in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for impactful careers in the nonprofit sector through structured coursework, experiential internships, mentorship and professional development.
With over 30,000 students across 100+ majors in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, The College is uniquely positioned to develop cross-disciplinary leaders for the nonprofit workforce.
Nonprofit Leadership and Career Pathways Program
Students in the Woodside Scholars Program participate in high-impact leadership development. A one-year commitment to the program includes coursework on the nonprofit sector, guest lectures by leaders in the field, hands-on internship experience and more.
Fall semester
One-credit course
- Understanding the nonprofit sector
- Networking strategies and internship preparation
- Resume, LinkedIn and cover letter development
Experiential learning
- Guest speakers from different nonprofit fields
- Informational interview outreach
- Internship search plan
Spring semester
Three-credit Woodside-funded internship
- Students secure a nonprofit internship (10 hours per week)
- Internship placement partnerships with local and national nonprofits
Professional development and community building
- Monthly networking events with nonprofit leaders
- Mentorship opportunities with alumni and professionals
- End-of-year showcase featuring student experiences and impact
Staffing and administration funds are critical to the success of the Nonprofit Leadership and Career Pathways Program:
Internship stipends (10-50 students): $25,000–$125,000
Program and partnerships manager: $70,000
Instructors: TBD
Marketing, outreach and administrative costs: $20,000
A transformative pathway to nonprofit and public work
The Woodside Scholars Program is already making an impact for students pursuing a career path with public and nonprofit organizations. Ava, Mia, Rook and Victoria shared how scholarship funding made it possible for them to pursue their academic and professional goals.
Ava K.
Thanks to the Woodside Scholars Program scholarship, Ava K. was able to complete an AmeriCorps internship with Jobs for Arizona Graduates, where she supported students with college planning and career preparation. The scholarship enabled her to finish her final semester at ASU and complete her degree in conservation science and ecology.
Now, Ava is hoping to move into a role at Arizona State University, where she can help students while earning a master’s degree. College was life-changing for Ava and she hopes to “pay it forward” by helping disadvantaged youth pursue higher education.
Mia C.
Mia C. received support from the Woodside Scholars Program to intern with the nonprofit Project C.U.R.E. Her work involved distributing medical supplies and organizing initiatives that advanced global health care for underserved communities. The experience reinforced her commitment to a service-driven career and inspired her to give back in meaningful ways.
Today, Mia is a top-performing student majoring in molecular biosciences and biotechnology. She is actively engaged in research and planning a career in environmental biotechnology or sustainable agriculture.
Rook B.
Through an internship with Ballotpedia, Rook B. contributed to tools that promote civic engagement, including maintaining the Sample Ballot Lookup Tool and updating election district boundaries using GIS software. The experience strengthened his professional skills and aligned with his personal commitment to informed voting and public service.
Rook graduated with his BS in geographic information science in December 2024. He is working with the Maricopa Association of Governments as a transportation data intern and will begin a BSE in civil engineering in fall 2025.
Victoria G.
Through her internship with the Arizona Students Association, first-generation student Victoria G. worked on political advocacy efforts focused on accessible higher education, public policy and community engagement. The experience aligned with her goal of pursuing a career in state government, and the scholarship allowed her to deepen her commitment to public service and future leadership in Arizona.
Today, Victoria works as a Criminal Clerk of the Court at Maricopa County Superior Court, where she is furthering her hands-on experience in the justice system.