This universitywide program prepares Temple faculty, staff, and graduate and professional students for nonprofit board service and civic leadership.
Temple On Board hosts a closing reception on April 21 in Alter Hall, bringing together participants and local nonprofit organizations to mark the program’s first cohort.
Photo by Betsy Manning
Temple University’s Temple On Board program marked a major milestone last week, celebrating its first cohort of participants and connecting them directly with local organizations seeking board members.
Held April 21 in Alter Hall, the closing reception recognized 37 faculty, staff, graduate and professional students who completed the universitywide professional development program. It also brought together 17 nonprofit and community-based organizations from across Philadelphia, including Vetri Community Partnership, OIC Philadelphia and Notsolatin, offering participants an immediate opportunity to explore board service.
“This is the first program of its kind at Temple, bringing members of the university community together to learn, grow, and then go out and serve,” said Valerie Harrison, vice president for community impact and civic engagement. “It’s a powerful demonstration of our commitment to opportunity creation and to being good partners in the community.”
Launched earlier this year through Temple’s Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement, Temple On Board is designed to prepare participants to serve on nonprofit, civic and advisory boards. Through a seven-session hybrid curriculum and engagement with local nonprofit partners, participants build skills in governance, leadership and community impact while earning a certificate of nonprofit board readiness and a digital credential. The program aims to strengthen connections between Temple and the broader Philadelphia community while helping address a growing need for informed, diverse board leadership.
The inaugural cohort included participants from across the university’s schools and colleges, reflecting a range of professional backgrounds and areas of expertise. Harrison said interest in the program exceeded expectations, with more applicants than available spots in the first cohort and plans to expand offerings in future semesters.
For many, the experience provided both practical training and a clearer pathway into board service.
“Before the program, I wasn’t sure what board service would look like for me,” said Lizzie Yazvac, assistant director of community engagement in the Honors Program. “But it helped me see there are many ways to contribute and made it feel much more accessible. It was an excellent first step.”
The program’s culminating event brought participants face-to-face with organizations actively seeking board members, creating opportunities to apply what they learned in real time.
“As a small nonprofit, we often rely on people within our immediate community to serve on our board,” said Quibila Divine, founder and CEO of The Educational Advocates Reaching Today’s Hardworking Students Inc. “Temple On Board expands that reach and connects us with individuals we might not otherwise meet, helping us find people who can support areas like fundraising and marketing.”
Following the reception, participants and organizational leaders connected informally to continue conversations and build relationships.
“What feels unique about this program is the level of care and intentionality,” said Carolyn Chernoff, a board member of the Leeway Foundation. “It’s not just about preparing people for leadership roles, but about community engagement and responsibility, which is really at the heart of board service.”
Temple On Board is expected to continue expanding, with future cohorts planned for each semester as part of the university’s broader commitment to civic engagement and community partnership.
