NDSU alumna makes community impact through nonprofit leadership
A communications degree from NDSU can open the doors to a broad range of careers, including jobs that put you at the center of creating meaningful change in your community.
For Coiya Tompkins Inman, a 1996 mass communications alumna, that path has led her to become the President/CEO of the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks. The nonprofit works to end interpersonal violence in two generations through safety and healing services for adults and children and community-wide violence prevention education.
Today, Tompkins Inman leads more than 80 staff members and oversees an annual budget of more than $7 million. The heart of Tompkins Inman’s work is helping people feel safe, supported and equipped with the resources they need to move forward.
“I love working with our team and area partners, who walk alongside our clients every day to support them during some of their darkest, scariest and sometimes life-threatening moments,” Tompkins Inman said. “One in three women and one in six men will experience domestic or sexual violence in their lifetimes. For North Dakota, that’s more than 250,000 of us; far too many. These are the statistics that keep those of us close to the work so engaged because every person deserves to be safe, respected and thriving. A vision like ending it, not just minimizing it seemed bold; audacious, a bit gutsy, and of course, I was all in.”
Making her impact
In her seven years with CIVC, Tompkins Inman has had several accomplishments, including authoring a book reflecting on the agency’s 40th anniversary through short stories from friends and partners.
More recently, Tompkins Inman’s leadership was recognized with the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ (NDANO’s) Walt Odegaard Leadership Award. However, receiving the award was much more than a personal reflection. Tompkins Inman is quick to credit the staff, donors and community partners who make CVIC’s work possible.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to receive this award, but I accept it on behalf of the more than 6,200 new victims of domestic violence in 2025 as well as the 4,600 children who were exposed during these incidents,” she said. “This is the number of people equal to the populations of Devils Lake and Grafton, and that is just one year of statistics and only what’s reported (so the impact is likely far greater). Naturally, our work is far from over but it’s our team, donors and the many partners who walk alongside us, who make it worth the intention.”
The path to leadership
Her time at NDSU provided a solid foundation that set her on the path to a successful career. As a student, Tompkins Inman developed skills that continue to be essential in her work today in building relationships, sharing stories and connecting people with a shared purpose.
“My NDSU degree established the basics and reinforced the level of attention to detail and professionalism that several industries demand,” she said. “Most of my professors also encouraged real-world experience, which seemed to bode well for me as I was pursuing positions. When I was interviewing early in my career, some of the feedback I received from hiring managers was how well I wrote. My first two corporate communications interviews included timed writing tests, so I felt prepared.”
NDSU’s Department of Communication ensures you’ll develop the skills to communicate, lead, collaborate and make a difference wherever your career path takes you. With four majors to choose from, including agricultural communication, journalism, management communication and strategic communication, you can find a program that fits your goals and hands-on opportunities to make the most of your college experience.
One of the ways Tompkins Inman expanded her written communications skills outside of the classroom was from her time with The Spectrum, NDSU’s student newspaper, where she served as Editor-in-Chief. In addition to building leadership experience, Tompkins Inman developed core writing and communications basics.
“Spending time with writers in a real-world setting enhanced the experience because we had a chance to hone our skills and learn from our mistakes before graduating,” she said.
Tompkins Inman was also heavily involved in the Gold Star Marching Band, the NDSU Cheer Team, North Dakota Intercollegiate Student Legislature, Society of Professional Journalists and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority (Beta Beta Chapter).
Her advice to communication students is to get as close to the work early on, such as job shadowing opportunities, meeting with employers and completing internships.
“I had six internships before I graduated, and it made a tremendous difference in my ability to procure positions post-graduation,” she said.
Additionally, Tompkins Inman advises everyone to keep track of the things they’re proud on instead of only focusing on areas that need improvement.
“Take time to celebrate your wins. They matter and you do, too,” she said.
See where a NDSU degree can take you by applying today or scheduling a visit.
NDSU Marketing and Communications
Source: Coiya Tompkins Inman
Writer: Meghan Arbegast