Nancy M. Castle has accepted a position as interim director the Center for NGO Leadership and Development (NGOLD) at Northern Illinois University.
She fills the role left by the center’s inaugural director, Judith Hermanson.
Castle earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at NIU in psychology. She has been a faculty member with NIU since 1991.
Previously, Castle was a professor in the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders. She now teaches courses in the community leadership and civic engagement (CLCE) major, which is overseen by NGOLD.
Castle will continue teaching while accepting interim director responsibilities.
“Judith has been instrumental to the development and growth of NGOLD,” Castle said. “Her expertise has helped position the center for the future and she’ll be greatly missed. I’ve enjoyed working with her and look forward to continuing to advance NGOLD’s mission and academic programming.”
Hermanson has accepted a position with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF).
As director of NGOLD, Hermanson oversaw creation of the CLCE major, approval of the certificate of undergraduate study in civic engagement, led outreach efforts to collaborate with nonprofit organizations and directed the center’s scholarly activities by teaching courses and developing curriculum.
“It has been a privilege and a great pleasure to serve as the director of NGOLD and take my leave knowing that it is on a solid foundation,” Hermanson said. “I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the interdisciplinary CLCE major, which is at the forefront for undergraduate programs of this type. As much as I am looking forward to the exciting role at PADF, I will miss NGOLD and the many friends I have made here.”
Castle became the interim director Wednesday, Feb. 1. An interdepartmental search committee has been created to lead the national search for a permanent director.
NGOLD was established in 2010 as NIU’s resource for excellence in the study, research and practice of nongovernmental organizations. Its mission is to enhance and strengthen civil society through nonprofits and other avenues of public service. To do this, NGOLD provides comprehensive programming to students, faculty, researchers and nonprofit organizations.
In addition to the interdisciplinary CLCE undergraduate major, NGOLD will launch a certificate program this fall that allows students in other majors to gain specialization in nonprofit leadership.