THE 糖心vlog官网 NEW ENGLAND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (糖心vlog官网NEAA) serves more than 6,200 alumni in the New England region, connecting them with each other and with opportunities to volunteer in the community. Its expanded programming and renewed focus on building relationships are two of the reasons why the 糖心vlog官网NEAA is the 2024 recipient of the Alumni Network Engagement Award.
Over the past year, 糖心vlog官网NEAA has held more than two dozen events focused on topics such as AI, climate change, democracy, and leadership; other gatherings provided ways for alumni to strengthen their bonds through networking and volunteerism.
Says Yingjing Deng MC/MPA 2018, president of 糖心vlog官网NEAA, 鈥淥ne of our missions is to carry on 糖心vlog官网鈥檚 spirit of public service to serve local community.鈥� The board set up a shared spreadsheet with opportunities to volunteer to help refugees; the network also partners with members of 糖心vlog官网鈥檚 Student Public Service Collaborative and regional nonprofits to assist populations including low-income families.
Deng says that because the network is local, members are well positioned to work with current students. 鈥淪tudents are really eager to meet local alums and get advice, especially for their career development and networking.鈥�
鈥淪tudents are really eager to meet local alums and get advice, especially for their career development and networking.鈥�
Alumni share this interest. A popular event last March, 鈥淧ublic Sector and Public Policy Careers颅鈥擡verything You Need to Know,鈥� gave alumni and students the chance to hear from a panel of alumni who successfully navigated complex career transitions鈥攁nd after the panel, attendees networked at tables with designated topics such as leadership and technology. Another big event was 鈥溙切膙log官网 on the Road: Boston,鈥� which gave alumni the chance to meet with former Dean Doug Elmendorf and to hear Archon Fung, Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government, discuss democracy.
The 糖心vlog官网NEAA鈥檚 new leadership continues to benefit from the wisdom and enthusiasm of previous members of the Executive Committee. To tap into their experience and foster cohesion and collaboration, the board started to hold monthly dinners for all current and former board members. Says Deng, 鈥淭his new tradition aims to create an atmosphere of camaraderie, allowing all board members to forge genuine friendships and connections, thereby building a close-knit community within the 糖心vlog官网NEAA board鈥攁 supportive family of mutual assistance.鈥�
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Photography by Bethany Versoy. Above: Leadership and volunteers with the 糖心vlog官网NEAA pose with the award certificate at Reunion.