Name: Antoinette Radcliffe

Hometown: Malvern, Pennsylvania

Major: Nonprofit Management

Post-commencement plans:

I am executed to continue in my new role as a Donor Support Administrator in The Penn Fund at the University of Pennsylvania. I also hope to one day create a nonprofit health clinic designed by and for neurodivergent people. Highlights from your experience at Drexel and Goodwin: regional volunteer experience virtually with Art Sphere Inc., nonprofit workshops with PASS Inc. in Baltimore and Rise Up Fund in Greater Philadelphia

What are some highlights or memorable moments from your time as a Goodwin student?

Some of my most memorable moments from my time as a Goodwin student include working with my classmates in our Nonprofit Workshop courses. In these courses, we worked as groups directly with a nonprofit organization to solve an existing need as identified by the nonprofit. I worked with Promoting Athletics, Scholarship, and Sisterhood (PASS) Inc. to redesign their website and with Rise Up Fund on Board self-evaluation and Board member offboarding, including exit protocols and an exit interview. These workshops enabled me to gain practical experience in creating action plans for more effective implementation at the organizational level.

Who are some of the individuals from Goodwin’s faculty and staff who have helped and supported you during your time here, and what impact did they have on you?

Maureen P. Breen DPA, CPA, CMA taught my Government and Nonprofit Accounting course (ACCT 608) and completely changed my outlook on nonprofit finance. Going into the course, I felt intimidated by the financial expertise I would be expected to have as I enter nonprofit management. Now, after taking Professor Breen’s course, I feel confident that I have the education and knowledge necessary to successfully navigate the financial requirements of nonprofit leadership.

JT Thazhathel, who taught my Strategic Planning for Nonprofits (NPM 645), served as a professional reference for me during my recruitment at The Penn Fund. His course enabled me to grow into a better strategic thinker.

Currently, Dr. Albert Vario is overseeing my capstone project. I’ve chosen to focus on the benefit of a neurodiverse workforce in the nonprofit sector. Dr. Vario has been instrumental in supporting me through this large undertaking. His belief in my project topic’s merit has been an extra motivator for me as I complete my research and interviews.

Finally, I’d like to thank Jaquan Saunders, my academic advisor, for his endless support and patience.

What is the top lesson you learned either in or outside of the classroom?

The top lesson I’ve learned at Goodwin is that nonprofit management is multifaceted. To be a great nonprofit leader is to be skilled in many areas while remaining adaptable and passionate. While nonprofit leadership may require much of you, contributing to the organization’s mission and creating an impact in your community will forever remain a worthwhile endeavor.

Looking back on your time at Goodwin, how would you say you have grown or changed?

Previously, I would often get stuck in the little details. Goodwin has taught me to appreciate the big picture. Without a vision, it’s difficult to determine, let alone arrive at, your destination. I have a newfound appreciation for strategic thinking.

What accomplishment from your time at Goodwin are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my final project for Program Evaluation (PRST 615). Our final project was to create an annual impact report. I chose to focus on The Arc, a national organization that promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community. The project felt like an excellent culmination of all the skills I’ve learned in Goodwin’s nonprofit management program.

How did your time at Goodwin help you with your current job role?

Learning about nonprofit management at Goodwin has helped me every day in my current role at The Penn Fund, the University of Pennsylvania's primary vehicle for undergraduate alumni annual giving. At The Penn Fund, I work as an administrator, which requires an excellent grasp of the foundations of nonprofit management and fundraising. So far, every course I’ve taken for my degree has proven relevant in my job.

What are you planning to share in your message to your fellow graduates?

My main message to my fellow graduates is to yield to love — your love of learning, your passions, your interests, your family and friends — whatever that may be for you. When we live a life of love, we live purposefully. When you lead with love in your heart, you will find success and fulfillment in your career and beyond.