Michael McSurdy, vice president of program services for the Oasis Center, which helps more than 3,000 young people and their families in the greater-Nashville area every year, is this years recipient of a full tuition sponsorship to the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management Executive MBA program. The award is financed by Owen and a winner is chosen through a partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management.

Owen and the Center for Nonprofit Management launched the program last year, offering tuition to one executive or senior staff member of a Middle Tennessee 501(c)3 organization per year to enable nonprofit executives to earn an MBA at Vanderbilt. The sponsorship will pay tuition for the full 21-month program and is valued at about

McSurdy said he takes a unique approach to his job at the Oasis Center. Hes not only responsible for all programs; he helps create avenues to empower young people, so they can help themselves. Right now McSurdy and the Oasis Center staff are focusing on five main programs: crisis services, such as a hotline and youth emergency shelter; transitional living services to homeless children and teenagers exiting foster care; counseling services for children and their families; youth leadership development training through civic programs, volunteerism, and AmeriCorps; and prevention services.

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