[Alstead, NH/June 14, 2009]—Susan Fortier recently completed her coursework for her Master’s of Science in Human Services with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. For the past two years, Fortier has been a full-time graduate student at Springfield College’s Graduate School of Human Services. She was part of the Executive Masters Program, a unique partnership between Springfield College and YMCA of the USA, the YMCA movement’s national resource center. Springfield College was founded in 1885 as the YMCA International Training School. Although now an independent college, the link to the YMCA movement remains strong.

While Fortier’s course of studies was similar to that of other students in Springfield College’s Master’s in Human Services program, she and thirteen other YMCA leaders from throughout North America went through the program as a cohort. They attended four two-week residencies—at Springfield College campuses in Tampa, FL; Houston, TX; Charleston, SC; and the main campus in Springfield, MA—with pre- and post-residency studies completed independently and online.

Fortier’s program of studies included courses in Organizational Change and Development, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Non-Profit Management, Leadership: A Lifelong Journey, and Economics of Social Change. Her Graduate Research Project, which she presented last week to the Deans and faculty of Springfield College's School of Human Services and her classmates is entitled, "A Review of the Non-Profit Sector of Windham County, Vermont: Opportunities for Strategic Restructuring."

Fortier is Co-Director, with her husband Steve, of the Meeting Waters YMCA which serves over two dozen communities in the Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Springfield and Fall Mountain regions. Sue serves as the organization’s Senior Program Director. In this role she provides leadership and support to its ASPIRE, camp, health promotion and community services. Steve, the Executive Director of Meeting Waters YMCA, earned his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Management in 1992 from Antioch University New England. They live in Alstead with their two teenagers, Sean and Laryssa.

 Fortier will participate in Springfield College’s commencement exercises in May of 2010.