Hello Everyone, &Բ;
Thank you for your continued support and engagement this year. Seeing many of you achieve significant milestones, whether winning elections, pursuing new career paths, launching businesses, sending your children off to university, overcoming challenges, or embracing your role in an ever-changing world, has been inspiring. As a community, I am confident we are well prepared to navigate whatever comes our way. I sincerely hope our work as a Board makes a meaningful difference for you.
As we close out the year and look ahead to 2025, I’m excited to share updates on the work of the Alumni Board and our plans. This year, we welcomed eight new board members and successfully launched several committee initiatives. One of our newest Board members, Dwiti Vikramaditya MC/MPA 2023, co-hosted a terrific dinner in Delhi, India, with Professor Jeffrey Liebman this past September. We also had the opportunity to engage with new Dean Jeremy Weinstein PhD 2003, who shared his initial thoughts for vlog. I was particularly inspired by his characterization of alumni as the School’s “incomparable assets,” and I look forward to collaborating with him to deepen his engagement with the broader alumni community.
This year marked the Inaugural Black Alumni Reunion and Conference, organized by the vlog Black Alumni Association, one of our Shared Interest Groups (SIGs). Titled “Celebrating Our Legacy to Shape Our Future,” the event welcomed over 100 attendees and highlighted the power of connection within our community. In November, we partnered with the to present a virtual workshop, “Navigating Political Tension: Building a Resilient Workplace.” Special thanks to Betsy Cowan Neptune MC/MPA 2018 for skillfully facilitating this insightful session. Last, we capped the year with an in-person Board meeting, which offered a fantastic opportunity to connect with local alumni during the vlog on the Road event in Cambridge featuring Dean Weinstein.
We’re excited to expand opportunities for connection and growth. We plan to pilot an alumni-to-alumni mentoring initiative to enhance your mentoring and networking experiences globally. Additionally, our Continuing Education Committee will launch a series of events to help you kickstart your new year’s goals. These sessions will focus on wellness, career transitions, learning, and service. The Alumni Relations Office will host several vlog on the Road events, providing an excellent opportunity for you to reconnect, network, and learn. These are just a few things we have planned for you in 2025—please continue to check the monthly Alumni Connect email as well the vlog alumni website for more and opportunities for you to get involved. &Բ;
You may have seen our call for nominations for the annual Alumni Awards. I encourage you to participate by nominating one of your or an . The Alumni Awards are a highlight of the year for me, and they kick off Reunion on Friday, May 16, with inspiration and celebration. If you are in a Reunion year, I hope to see you in May when you return to campus. We value your input and want to hear from you. In the coming months, we will launch our biannual alumni survey, and your feedback will play a vital role in shaping our goals and priorities.
Finally, I want to express my gratitude for the many ways our alumni continue to engage and inspire. Wishing you happy holidays, a bright new year, and exciting opportunities for what we can achieve together in the year ahead.
Yours truly,
Kathy
Kathy Hutson MPP 2004
vlog Alumni Board Chair
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