The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Information Studies offers a college course unlike any other.
INFOST 408, also commonly known as “Nonprof-IT,” is an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience, similar to an internship, within a classroom setting.
Students, mentors and partnering nonprofit organizations presented the fall 2025 semester’s work at a Nonprof-IT Showcase event on Dec. 9.
UWM Chancellor Thomas Gibson made introductory remarks at the beginning of the showcase.
“I love that this program provides our students with hands-on experience that has a real-world impact. I love that our local nonprofit organizations are getting the help they need and deserve in order to make our community a stronger place. And I love that our corporate partners have generously offered their time and expertise to our students to help them get this experience and ultimately serve and help our community.”
-Chancellor Gibson in his opening remarks.
What is Nonprof-IT at UWM?
The course connects students with nonprofit organizations that need assistance with their social media, website or any issue related to IT.
These nonprofit organizations will often struggle to find IT assistance, and it’s difficult to spread a message without IT support in an increasingly digital world.
Student work this semester included updating websites to be more accessible for those with vision impairments, boosting social media engagement, redesigning the structure of websites to be more user-friendly and, in one case, designing the first website for a newly founded organization.
According to Nonprof-IT, over 170 nonprofits have received IT assistance from the 581 students who have enrolled in the course.
The program involves 75+ mentors from local businesses and has received $134,500 in grant funding to date.
“For students as well, we know this is an elective class. We know you could do things that are far easier. So, hopefully, the challenge of getting up in front of 100 people and speaking, it probably seems like a lot, but it’s just really going to set you apart as you enter the workforce,” said Adam Hudson, the director of Nonprof-IT.
Hudson came up with the idea for the program, which is now operating in its 11th year.
Students are situated into groups and work with a real-world client on project teams, plotting out how to successfully achieve the organization’s IT goals.
The project goals are expansive and can cover everything from social media strategy, website design and general technology assistance.
UWM Students in Nonprof-IT
UWM students must apply and get accepted to participate in this class, which is offered in two sections for each fall and spring semester.
The class can be taken multiple times, and it is open to freshman through senior students of any major, as well as it’s cross-listed with other majors, including Computer Science, DAC, JAMS and DVC.
This year, three students were honored by Hudson for completing their third semester in the program. These students were Zephyr Marek, Zenith Le and Richard Weeks.
Opening the course to all students allows for more students to benefit from the course’s networking opportunities and real-world experiences.
Nonprof-IT wants to provide internship opportunities to a variety of diverse students inside the classroom while providing a valuable service to the greater Milwaukee community.
The program has launched the careers of many students who got a job in the workforce thanks to their work in the course.
Many of these students will then return and reciprocate the mentorship they received. Overall, Nonprof-IT has built a sustainable system of UWM student and alumni interaction.
“Thank you to the students, the mentors, for volunteering your time. And we want to mostly thank the nonprofits as well for putting your trust in us. and for really, really being there, answering their questions, being available throughout the semester,” Hudson said.
Organizations in the Milwaukee area are encouraged to apply each year. The only requirements are to demonstrate a need for assistance, explain what is needed and have 510 3c status.
Nonprofit organizations and the UWM students they worked with in nonprof-IT at UWM this semester:
Kids Matter Inc.
- Nathaniel Stika
- Viny Greco
- Harry Hershit
- Ward Eweisi
BESTD Sexual Health Clinic
- Mohana Sampatam
- Dalina Jonuzi
- Nathan Stout
- Zephyr Marek
Milwaukee Food Council
- Lilly Carrillo
- Cameron Harmon
- Lizette Munoz
- Caleb Smith
Data You Can Use
- Steven Bertelsen
- Anthony Aquirre
- Aryan Ahlawat
- Aden Sengsouvanh
Urban Nature Connection
- Aref Ahmad
- Julian Haliga
- Brett Pazar
- Nicholas Letser
PMI Milwaukee/Southeast Wisconsin Chapter
- Mona Aden
- Hepsiba Madireddy
- Raissa Turu
- Hopking Uyenbat
786 Club
- Richard Weeks
- Kaden Mierow
- Mason Middaugh
- Riley Jones
Milwaukee Hope Initiative
- Zenith Le
- Noura Alqadi
- Tony Gomez
- Zak Podolske
Mentors in the nonprof-IT showcase at UW-Milwaukee this semester:
- Scott Sauer, New World Application Design & Development
- Cindy Larson & Kim Anderson, Crisis Prevention Institute
- Harrison Colcord & Leslie Berkley, Associated Bank
- Sue Barthelemy & Manfred Lopez-Prado, HSA Bank
- Richard Mogilka, Rockwell Automation
- Leilani Caban, Molson Caban, Molson Coors
- Bhram Singh, Chortek
- Bently Turner, Baird
Nonprof-IT team at UWM:
- Adam Hudson, Instructor & Director of Nonprof-IT
- Hudson Kolowrat, Graduate Student & Assistant Program Director
- Julie Walker, Student/Alumni Engagement & Outreach Specialist
- Maggie Flath, Academic Advisor