Committee 

October 23–25, 2014

Committee chair Rodrigo Ramirez ’06 A&S’13 opened the meeting. Rodrigo led the committee in discussion of several agenda items: ideas for new initiatives, updates from Alumni Relations, and suggestions for the spring meeting.

Maia Josebachvili ’05 and Caroline Kerr ’05 presented background on and outcomes from their class' student mentoring effort that took place during the summer of 2014. This program was very successful and grew out of discussions at the spring 2014 young alumni committee meeting. They shared key program components and the committee discussed opportunities to grow the program within other class connections. The committee decided to expand this program and replicate it within other young alumni classes; this year it will expand to the classes of 2006, 2007, and 2008.  The discussion ended with the following committee members agreeing to help lead their individual class-mentoring efforts: Rodrigo Ramirez for the Class of 2006, Luke Antal and Derrick Smith for the Class of 2007, and Chuck Flynn for the Class of 2008. The aim is for the individual class program to start by Spring 2015.

Rodrigo then led the committee in a discussion exploring the potential expansion of the Young Alumni Chair structure to include more regional alumni clubs. Derrick T. Smith ’07, assistant director for young alumni and student programs, who oversees Young Alumni Chair efforts provided data and insight into these roles as they currently exist. Rodrigo highlighted that these chairs can help reflect the increasing diversity within younger alumni classes and encourage more young alumni involvement. The committee agreed that there is a lot of value to these positions and that expansion should be considered thoughtfully, with a focus on those regional clubs with significant young alumni populations. Rodrigo and Derrick will continue this discussion further and will keep the committee updated.

Dan Parish ’89, director of Dartmouth for Life, shared key updates regarding young alumni and career development.  Young alumni advising from the CPD has been significantly increased. The Dartmouth Career Network continues to be an important tool in connecting alumni of all ages and Alumni Relations continues to strengthen it. The committee discussed the Career Network's relevancy and how to make it increasingly useful and accessible to alumni, particularly young alumni. Dan also highlighted additional career resources and connection points for young alumni (e.g. Off the Green programs and Virtual Career Fairs).

Derikka Mobley ’10, secretary to the committee and assistant director for affiliated and shared interest groups, highlighted the Alumni Interviewer contest and the value of young alumni as interviewers.

Rodrigo then led the committee in an open discussion of potential topics for the Spring 2015 meeting. Key topic suggestions were challenges surrounding alumni email addresses and communications, as well as, young alumni involvement in service within their local communities.