Andrea Randall considers herself “a lifer with The Salvation Army!” She will celebrate 28 years with The Army in August and currently works as the Director at The Salvation Army Cuthbert House in Toronto. Cuthbert House provides residential and community-based services to young persons involved in the youth justice system.
A few years ago, at a time when Andrea was contemplating taking courses to help develop her management skills, she received an email from Leadership Development Secretary, Paul Carew. The e-mail outlined some of the education opportunities at Booth UC. The next thing she knew, Andrea was following a path to the School for Continuing Studies at Booth UC.
“I was most interested in the Not-for-Profit Management Certificate program,” she explains. “Everything just fell into place. I applied, was accepted, and started a new educational journey.” With that journey came some anxiety and excitement. “I was anxious to be going back to school, wondering what it would be like, and excited for this new learning experience.”
Her nerves were soon calmed as she met her fellow classmates – TSA employees, officers and non-officers with a shared passion for working in social services – and began classes. “The courses connected directly to my work and filled in some knowledge gaps,” she describes. She learned more about herself and her management style, as well as new skills and strategies, and how to be a better leader and role model for her team.
Andrea continues to use resources from the NFP management course and stays in touch with many who she connected with during the course. She appreciates the expertise that her teachers brought to the program. Being able to learn about the instructors’ experiences and have great conversations stand out for Andrea. In fact, she had such a good experience at Booth UC, she has been recommending the Not-for-Profit Management Certificate program to her colleagues.
“Booth UC contributed greatly to my learning journey, for I have increased both my knowledge and my network with some amazing people across Canada. I am truly blessed that the Lord continues to guide my path and prepare me through the work I do in life in and outside of The Salvation Army.”
