Fellow alumni, there are some new and exciting initiatives that the UWAA is currently
working on to engage more graduates across the nation and the world. Our goal is to
increase UWAA’s reach to all UW demographics, specifically alumni who have graduated
within the last 10 years. Engaging with this demographic is one of many priorities
of the UWAA and can be an invaluable resource for this demographic in ways such as
career support, job opportunity connections, networking and service. We plan on engaging
younger alumni by making their membership relevant to their current situations in
life, hosting beneficial alumni networking events in cities all over the country while
creating sufficient awareness of these events. Once we grant them an opportunity to
get back involved with UW through the UWAA, we can explain to them all of the benefits
that we offer and keep them updated on all of the great things that their alma mater
is currently participating in and how the UW community, along with their help, can
and will make a difference in the world.
With the alumni association staff in place and with some new talented additions to the team, these goals are more than tangible. Our team wants to develop and perfect contemporary means of communication such as social media and other online networking mediums. Through the utilization of these online venues, we can enhance the relevancy of the UWAA to these younger alumni and increase the positive footprint we have on our members’ lives. It is important for these young people to understand that the university wants to continue providing support to them throughout their lives by engaging in dialogue with them from their days as students at UW to the latter years of their lives.
The WYO-gold Student Alumni Association is an example of one way that we have started creating relationships with young cowboys and cowgirls at the university. Since the fall of 2013, the UWAA has increased the emphasis on our relationship with students. We wanted to help students understand the resources that we, as an association, can offer them. Since the fall of 2013, WYO-gold has grown from approximately seven members to more than 100 members, under the guidance of the WYO-gold Student Leadership Council and our UWAA staff. These members plan and volunteer for more than 30 events throughout the year and provide ways for students to get involved on campus, all while developing connections that will help them after graduation. More and more students are getting involved and helping the university increase UW pride, leadership and professional development opportunities, as well as helping the association connect with students and recent graduates.
Best in Brown and Gold,
Phil Petersen
President (B.S. ’63)