The M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program celebrated its relaunch in July, with students traveling to the Winona Campus to take part in a summer residency program.
The two-week program welcomed eight students from all over the country, as well as one student from Canada.
Previously, the yearly residency program was three weeks long, with students coming to the Winona Campus every summer for three years. However, with the launch of the new program, students take classes online, as well as taking part in the summer residency for two weeks.
“The reality is, it’s harder for students to take three weeks off in the summer. Organizations are just not prepared to allow people to be away for that long,” said Audrey Kintzi, vice president emerita and executive director of the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program. “So, as a university, we had to really rethink how we can respond to market needs and keep our reputation as an outstanding masters program.”
While the residency program has been shortened, Kintzi says it remains an important experience for students.
“What we keep hearing from our alumni, and from other people in the marketplace, is that our residency is part of what makes us stand out,” Kintzi said. “For these students, it’s a wonderful time to be with other people who are passionate about what they do and to be able to dig into what it is to be a development professional.”
With the relaunch, this marks the 30th cohort of students to go through Saint Mary’s M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program.
“I am thrilled that the university has supported the relaunch of the program,” Kintzi said. “It has been part of Saint Mary’s history for 30 years, and has provided Saint Mary’s an excellent national and international platform for visibility.”
