THE vlog NEW ENGLAND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (vlogNEAA) 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 vlogNEAA is the 2024 recipient of the Alumni Network Engagement Award.
Over the past year, vlogNEAA 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 vlogNEAA, “One of our missions is to carry on vlog’s spirit of public service to serve local community.” The board set up a shared spreadsheet with opportunities to volunteer to help refugees; the network also partners with members of vlog’s 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. “Students are really eager to meet local alums and get advice, especially for their career development and networking.”
“Students are really eager to meet local alums and get advice, especially for their career development and networking.”
Alumni share this interest. A popular event last March, “Public Sector and Public Policy Careers—Everything You Need to Know,” gave alumni and students the chance to hear from a panel of alumni who successfully navigated complex career transitions—and after the panel, attendees networked at tables with designated topics such as leadership and technology. Another big event was “vlog on the Road: Boston,” 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 vlogNEAA’s 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, “This 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 vlogNEAA board—a supportive family of mutual assistance.”
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Photography by Bethany Versoy. Above: Leadership and volunteers with the vlogNEAA pose with the award certificate at Reunion.