You wake up after a late night hanging out with friends and trying to get some homework done at Club Milner. You hit up Watty for some breakfast before heading to the Quad to promote your RSO’s event that you planned for this weekend. Class comes next, followed by a meeting for Student Government Association. Lunch, class, and a shift working at the Student Fitness Center bring you to dinner time, but the day has barely started. Dinner with some club sport team members, followed by a meeting for your upcoming Alternative Breaks trip, and an Up Late at State event finish out your day.
This is a snapshot of an involved student’s life. While the names of the organizations might be different, students have long been provided opportunities outside the classroom to connect, learn, and grow. The Division of Student Affairs continues to provide students with enriching experiences, but is also developing new initiatives to connect with former involved students as alumni.
“We are increasing our connections with alumni to formalize our commitment to the growth and development of students—as we’re always students even when we’re not enrolled in class,” said Erin Thomas, M.S.E. ’02, Ph.D. ’14, director of assessment and engagement initiatives for Student Affairs. “Additionally, we want to improve the connections offered between current students and alumni.”
The Division of Student Affairs is excited to announce several new initiatives to connect with these alumni. The inaugural Student Affairs Alumni and Friends Newsletter will debut May 19, to kick off efforts to share with alumni and friends of the division the great events and programs happening on campus and ways to stay connected. From information on alumni events to stories about amazing alumni to opportunities to get involved as a volunteer on campus, this newsletter will help alumni stay informed.
“We are increasing our connections with alumni to formalize our commitment to the growth and development of students—as we’re always students even when we’re not enrolled in class.” —Erin Thomas
To keep communication flowing between newsletters, the Illinois State University Division of Student Affairs Alumni group on LinkedIn was also created. The LinkedIn group will be a place to gain professional connections, share memories, network with alumni and Student Affairs staff, and to see what is going on around campus.
Student Affairs also want alumni to stay active and engaged. This spring the division hosted alumni events in Normal and Oak Brook. From pizza to bowling some strikes (or gutter balls in some cases), a great time was had reconnecting with alumni. Check out the Student Affairs Alumni Network page to see what events will be next.
Finally, this spring Student Affairs welcomed a whole new class of Redbird alumni to our Student Affairs alumni family. The division hosted its first graduation celebration for over 100 student leaders and employees to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the division. It was a wonderful opportunity to officially welcome them into the alumni family.
Student Affairs also wants to hear your Redbird story. Share what made your time at ISU so special. Also, check out the new Student Affairs Alumni Network page to see how you can reconnect with Student Affairs as an alum as well as give of your time, talents, and treasures to your alma mater.
