The Mount Mercy College MBA Program is again seeking partners from non-profit organizations in the area for student projects in two future classes in the new year. 

The first opportunity would be a repeat of an earlier Principles of Project Management course.  In early January, consulting teams of three to four students will be formed to plan and develop a project following the guidelines of the Project Management Institute.  The product of the course would include the plan for a project including a timeline, estimated costs, and expected outcomes.  Students in the earlier course worked on projects for the Girl Scouts, Iowa Quality Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Habitat for Humanity.  An example of the project for the Girl Scouts was for the team to develop an Inventory Management System for their supplies and materials.  If you would like a testimonial from past clients of this class, Deb Oliver, the Director of the MBA Program, would be happy to provide that for you. 

The second opportunity for community non-profits is in the February-April timeframe to work with student teams in the Business Capstone course.  This course is one of the last courses students take before they receive the MBA degree.  The students in this course will be working in small consulting teams of 2-3 to utilize research and the knowledge and tools they have mastered in the program to address an organizational problem or concern that keeps you up at night.  Examples of typical scenarios:  How can your organization re-energize your fundraising efforts?  How can your organization be more efficient and/or effective?  How can your organization increase the level of employee engagement?  How can you strengthen the organization’s foundation of donor support? 

The organizations selected to partner with the teams would be expected to appoint a representative to serve as the point of contact for the students and would need to be available to meet as needed with the student teams for them to gather background information to complete the consulting assignment. Final presentations of the students’ work will be presented to the client organizations.   If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Deb Oliver at doliver@mtmercy.edu or 319-363-1323 X1237.  Please be sure to specify which course you would prefer to work with for your involvement.  Organizations choosing to work with the Project Management class will be notified by the 2^nd week of January if they have been chosen as partners for the classes.   Organizations choosing to work with the Capstone class will be notified by mid-February.