Institute Alumni Profiles: Cassi Zumbiel
Cassi Zumbiel is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and holds both her graduate (2016) and undergraduate (2014) degrees from North Carolina State University. Cassi transferred to NC State her sophomore year of college, and immediately realized the minor was for her after taking the Introduction to Nonprofits course.
The Nonprofit Studies Minor class that impacted Cassi the most was COM 466, taught by Ms. Mindy Sopher. Cassi states that, “Ms. Mindy made the biggest impact on my Nonprofit Studies Minor experience. She always pushed me to be better and made me feel like she believed in me. Without her putting me with my community partner and pushing me to challenge myself, I do not think I would be where I am now.” Her most impactful moment in the Nonprofit Studies Minor was through her COM 466 internship with NARAL, where she set up a booth in the brickyard to help engage with students and teach them about NARAL’s mission. Although initially she felt as though it was a little out of her comfort zone, she ended up meeting many other people who were interested in and excited by the organization.
Since graduating, Cassi still utilizes a large amount of knowledge she gained from the minor (and even has the nonprofit leadership challenges hanging in her office for reference). She is currently is a Policy Development Manager for the NC Chamber and regularly engages with nonprofits by working for the NC Chamber’s Foundation.
Her advice to current Nonprofit Minor Students? “Do as many internships as you can! You don’t know what you like and don’t like until you try it. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and continue to treat everyone you know with kindness. You never know what impact they may have in your life”!
