November 1–3, 2012
The following Young Alumni Committee 2012 topics were discussed:
Alumni Mentoring Program: Committee member Nicolas Russell ’00 has researched interest in mentoring among young alumni and the effectiveness and usage of the current Dartmouth Alumni Directory. Currently, there are no broad-based mentoring programs that connect alumni with each other or with students. As preparations are made to launch a new version of the online alumni directory, Nick will be working with the new director for Dartmouth for Life, Dan Parish ’89, to see how alumni-alumni or alumni-student mentoring can be fostered and encouraged.
Life After Dartmouth: David Tatkow ’01 reported on great progress on the Life After Dartmouth project. Dartmouth’s general counsel has given approval to use the Yale post-graduation guide as a template for the new Life after Dartmouth Handbook. The Dartmouth version of the handbook is nearing completion, although more alumni quotes are needed in various sections, specifically the cookbook chapter.
Dartmouth Discounts: Dan Parish ’89 and his office are researching alumni discounts and affiliation programs. Dan will work with committee members Allie Miller ’10 and Patrick McCarthy ’04 to integrate their research into the work being done as part of the Dartmouth for Life program.
Community: Derrick T. Smith ’07, assistant director of young alumni and students, provided a report on the Young Alumni of Dartmouth Activities (YADA). Smith has been in his role for a little more than a year and reported on his activity thus far. He is looking to revamp the YADA brand by increasing the number of young alumni events, forming a young alumni chair “committee”—which will consist of all young alumni chairs across the United States—and revisiting the types of programs that his office puts on. The committee provided Smith with feedback on ways to enhance the young alumni experience. Ideas included shuttle bus or carpool options from NYC or Boston during alumni weekends, live feeds and video conferences of on-campus events, and card access to campus facilities during major weekends.
The new director for Dartmouth for Life, Daniel Parish ’89, attended the meeting. He joined the Office of Alumni Relations in the fall of 2012 from the Dartmouth Admissions Office. Parish will be developing initiatives and programs that will engage alumni in lifelong learning and that will meet the needs and interests of alumni throughout their life. Dartmouth for Life programming will focus on professional development and career progression, personal growth, and health and well-being. Programs will connect Dartmouth alumni who are experts in their fields with other alumni, faculty, and current students.