An MBA is often seen as the fast track to the C-suite, but at the Terry College of Business it’s also a call to service.

This fall, 16 first-year Full-Time Terry MBA students committed to 20 months of service at the inaugural Nonprofit Board Fellows Match Day.

“It’s a big commitment,” said Monica Bledsoe, the second-year MBA student who organizes the board fellows’ program. “I wanted to have a match day because we needed a space to connect and talk about the impact of this program, celebrate our students who are joining this program, and thank all of our nonprofit partners for being our partners.”

On this first Match Day, new nonprofit board fellows and nonprofit leaders gathered in Correll Hall, holding the envelopes containing their match information until the moment came. Then, simultaneously, they opened them.

First-year MBA student Brannon Shedd opened his envelope to find the Friends of the Sandy Creek Nature Center.

“I grew up playing outside and nature has always been my safe space,” Shedd said. “So knowing that this is an option for me in the business program was exciting because not only am I going to get more nonprofit exposure — I’ll also get to be outside.”

For fellow student and vice president of the Friends of Sandy Creek Greenway board, Chris Enders, having Shedd on the board means the Friends group will be more effective at raising funds and support for the nature center.

“It’s really wonderful to have the enthusiasm, support and the knowledge that board fellows are going to bring to help us grow our organization and give back to the community,” Enders said. “And they’ll be part of something that makes a difference and hopefully enriches their experience and time at the university.”

There are 36 MBA students participating with the 20 Athens nonprofits in the program. The nonprofits include the Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade, Family Promise, and conservation and outdoor recreation groups such as the Friends of the Sandy Creek Nature Center.

“This program is a win-win for everyone involved,” Bledsoe said. “It’s professional development for our students, where they can take what they’re learning in the classroom and apply it to a completely different industry. They provide their hours as a volunteer and as board members to the nonprofit and gain to new perspective on work.”