Laura J. Dewberry

Laura J. Dewberry serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership in the Department of Management and Marketing at Youngstown State University's Williamson College of Business Administration, where she has held full-time faculty positions since 2009. Her work integrates academic instruction with practical nonprofit leadership development through the university's certificate and minor programs.

Dewberry earned her MBA from Cleveland State University (2006) and BS in Business Administration from John Carroll University (2003). Her research focuses on experiential learning models in nonprofit management, student philanthropy initiatives, and business communication frameworks.

She directs comprehensive programs combining coursework with real-world applications including the Pay It Forward Student Philanthropy Initiative, organizational consulting projects, and externally funded internships. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes community engagement through shadow experiences with nonprofit professionals and structured volunteerism.

Major recognitions include:

• Distinguished Professor of Service (2021)
• Orion Award for Outstanding Student Organization as SNLO faculty advisor (2022)
• Outstanding Faculty & Student Poster Award for Pay It Forward initiative (2025)
• Libra Award for faculty advisor excellence (2018)
• David Hoch Memorial Award for Service-Learning (2017)
• Mahoning Valley 25 under 35 Award (2013)
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society membership (2021)

Dewberry mentors students through the Student Nonprofit Leadership Organization and coordinates externally funded internship opportunities. Her leadership in student organizations has established YSU as a regional hub for nonprofit education, with SNLO receiving multiple institutional awards under her guidance.

As Director of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership, she oversees program development connecting academic theory to community practice, including partnerships with Junior Achievement, United Way, and local prosecutor's office initiatives that provide students with professional shadowing and consulting experiences.