Rutgers School of Business–Camden Partners With Hispanic Nonprofit to Train Future Leaders

The Professional and Executive Program tailored a program to meet the community organization’s specific needs and challenges.

The Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs (MCOHA) has a nearly 50-year history as the voice of the area's Hispanic community, providing support and access to essential community resources, including job training, legal aid, and energy assistance.     

Since its founding in 1976, the organization has evolved from seven devoted individuals seeking to serve the Hispanic community into a multifaceted nonprofit with a full complement of dedicated employees — employees in whom the organization's leadership wanted to make a significant investment.

"The dedication and passion the staff of MCOHA have for serving the community is truly inspiring, and it has always been my goal to equip them with the training they need and truly deserve," said Marcela Lenox, who recently transitioned from her role as executive director of MCOHA to vice president of public relations and fundraising at the West Morris Area YMCA. 

"Grant funding from the Hispanic Federation allowed us to look for training that would focus on effective customer service, leadership, and fostering a culture that embraces a growth mindset," said Lenox. She eventually reached out to the Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER) within the School of Business–Camden to help craft a program.

Established in 2022, PEER offers continuing education opportunities for both individuals and organizations, focusing on the needs of today's evolving workplace and a commitment to lifelong learning, all supported by the strong reputation and legacy of Rutgers–Camden. The leadership of MCOHA and PEER collaborated to create a specialized 12-week program that combined facilitated in-person learning, remote learning, and self-paced online modules.

“Our mission is to carry the values of Rutgers University into the workplace,” said Peter McAliney, director of PEER. “We are here to serve the people and organizations of New Jersey, providing innovative programming and curricula that bring the best of Rutgers to the people and companies of New Jersey.”

One of the unique aspects of the programs offered by PEER is its specific learning track for nonprofit organizations. While every organization faces the daily challenge of successfully mapping a way forward, nonprofit organizations often face the added difficulty of working with limited resources to meet the needs of those they serve.

“When I saw the special focus on nonprofits PEER was able to provide and talked with Peter about our vision, I was confident that Rutgers–Camden was the perfect partner for MCOHA,” said Lenox.

In June, the group celebrated the completion of their coursework with a ceremony where they received their certificates. For Maria Rojas Botero, director of the Hispanic Women’s Resource Center at MCOHA, the experience was edifying.

“In a field where we often seek opportunities for others, we sometimes overlook our own need for growth and advancement,” said Botero. “Investing in ourselves is essential for better serving our community.”

Lenox, who also participated in the training, appreciated how the program reflected the day-to-day work of MCOHA.

“The scenarios presented during the program mirrored situations we were experiencing in real-time at MCOHA, allowing me to acknowledge and manage them more effectively,” said Lenox. “The entire experience—from beginning to end—was exactly what I had envisioned for my staff. We came away with new skills, increased confidence, and a better ability to serve our community in Morris County.”