How Sara Frost, CNP Found Purpose Through AmeriCorps NCCC

When Sara Frost, CNP, Ph.D. first joined AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), she was unsure of what her future held. With a bachelor’s degree in theater, she hadn’t envisioned herself pursuing education further or even working in the nonprofit sector. “I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to be when I grew up,” she shared. “AmeriCorps was a really nice bridging point that actually launched the rest of my educational career.”

Through AmeriCorps NCCC, Sara was introduced to the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, a proud partner. NCCC members like Sara have access to an exclusive discounted rate to pursue the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential. In 2011, Sara took advantage of this opportunity, where she earned her CNP. “It was through American Humanics at the time, and I thought, ‘Oh, that sounds cool.’”

The CNP program provided her with the foundational knowledge and confidence she needed to excel as a nonprofit professional. “I had really gotten into my head about how hard graduate school was. I didn’t think I was smart enough or capable enough,” she admitted. But the CNP program made higher education feel accessible, and it became a stepping stone for her future.

From Doubt to Doctorate

For Sara, the idea of pursuing higher education was just a pipe dream. “I never really envisioned myself going for additional education,” she admitted. She doubted her abilities, convinced that graduate school was beyond her reach. But that all changed once she stepped into the nonprofit sector and discovered a passion for learning that ignited her career.

As Sara gained experience in the sector, she realized that education was a path of self-discovery and empowerment. The more she learned, the more she wanted to learn. What started as a tentative step into graduate school soon developed into an insatiable thirst for knowledge. “I went on and got a master’s in human service administration, another in special education, and eventually a PhD in leadership and change,” she proudly shared. Sara’s academic achievements are not just a testament to her intelligence, but to her resilience and determination. From someone who thought she’d never go beyond a bachelor’s degree, Sara went on to earn not one, but three master’s degrees and a PhD.

Despite her extensive education, Sara remains grounded in her passion for making a difference in the lives of others. Her work is driven by a desire to help others grow and succeed. “Professional development helps people feel smart, capable, and confident,” she noted. “When you allow people the opportunity to learn, they do better in their jobs and enjoy their work more.”

A Passion for Education

Sara’s career journey took her to The Life is Good Playmaker Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of education and care for our youngest, most vulnerable kids. The Playmaker Project provides training and support for a growing network of more than 24,000 professionals who create positive relationships and joy-filled environments that children need to heal, learn, and thrive.

At The Life is Good Playmaker Project, Sara’s work focuses on creating an optimal environment for children to thrive. “I fully believe in the mission of what we’re doing to transform the lives of kids by investing in the people who serve them she explained. Her dedication to the cause is evident in her work, where she helps build training programs that empower these educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to create healing-life-changing relationships and experiences for kids.

“We created a world-class training that has been proven to reduce educator burnout, improve student-teacher relationships, and improve the social-emotional well-being of kids and teachers alike,” she shared. “It’s very interactive and hands-on, even our online modules. It reflects our core belief that it’s not about about what we do but how and why we do everything we do.” Sara’s work is pivotal in shaping the organization’s program design and development, ensuring that it is research-based and aligns with the highest quality standards in the field.

Infusing Optimism into Every Lesson

Sara’s doctoral research at Antioch University focused on optimism and optimistic leadership, themes that are central to her work at The Life is Good Playmaker Project. She played a key role in developing a course on leading with optimism, and the 15-hour certification course offered by the organization to equip and elevate early childhood professionals. “I was all in on that because you get to research, write, and help take research and make it into bite-sized educational chunks for people so they can really get it,” she said. Her work in this area has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing her to combine her passion for research with her commitment to education.

This optimism extends well beyond her professional life into her personal philosophy. She believes that creating a supportive and joyful environment is essential for both children and adults to thrive. “When kids feel more joy, more engagement, and more connection, they do better,” she said. “And the same is true for adults. A better employee helps the organization, but when you feel better about yourself, when you feel more confident, you enjoy your work and life more.”

Sara Frost’s story is an inspiration for anyone who has ever doubted their ability to achieve something. Her journey reminds us that with the right support and determination, it’s possible to make a meaningful impact in the world. For those inspired by Sara’s story, the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential could be the first step on a similar path to fulfillment in the nonprofit sector.

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