Wade’s hands-on approach assists students and community
Jennifer Wade, assistant professor in the Graduate School of Public Affairs, has taken learning into the community to enable students to serve the broader community and see firsthand how their input can foster change.
Wade has linked her knowledge of nonprofit organizational management and philanthropy to unite the university and the external community. She has implemented service learning projects and internships, and has made several presentations to nonprofit and community based organizations such as Jack and Jill of America, Colorado Nonprofit Association, the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver, EspeciallyMe Conference, Idealist.org and Hispanics in Philanthropy.
A resonating voice in issues of equality, Wade was appointed as Faculty Fellow for Inclusion, a half-time position with the Office of the Provost, serving as a resource for faculty, staff and students in diversity and inclusion. In her 18 months in the position, Wade took leadership roles with the Graduation Celebration of Inclusion, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity, community group liaison, the Academic Master Plan, and faculty search committee training.
Wade's committee service includes Faculty Assembly Diversity, and Minority Affairs committees, and the Provost’s Committee on Inclusion. She is also on the Advisory Committee for Ethnic Studies and the University of Colorado President’s Diversity Advisory Committee.
“Service is rooted within my personal commitment and values to be a contributing member of society by working to link my educational knowledge and research to the university, my professional organizations and the external community, especially communities of color,” she stresses.
Wade served on the board for directors of three professional associations: the Academy of Management’s Public Nonprofit Division, the Association of Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) and the Conference of Minority Public Administrators.
Michael B. Hancock, Denver City Council President and District 11 Representative, writes of Wade’s service and commitment, “She represents the university with integrity, incomparable intellect and absolute determination toward excellence for herself, her students and her field of study.”