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Student Alumni Association Established on Brooklyn Campus
The Student Alumni Association sets itself apart in various ways, one of them being the recruitment of new members. Potential members who are interested in joining the club are asked to fill out an application, provide references and go through an interview process, all of the elements the students will one day encounter when applying for a career in the job world. This provides critical preparation for skills the students will need when they go on their first interviews. As a member, students receive the same benefits that the alumni community does, such as discounts at local stores and companies and benefits on campus, giving them a taste for what it’s like to be an alum of St. Joseph’s College. The students also attend alumni events throughout the year to serve as ambassadors of the College and the Office of Alumni Relations. At these events, students learn to network with alumni who have walked in their shoes and who can offer them valuable advice for their career paths. Two events that the SAA has planned for upcoming months is helping to feed the homeless at C.H.I.P.S., a local Brooklyn shelter, as well as entertaining the children and families of the Ronald McDonald House. Lisa Trinidad, co-moderator of the SAA on the Brooklyn Campus, sees this as a great incentive for the students. “Besides networking events and being involved on campus, I advise the members to consider service to their community,” said Trinidad. “It’s always a wonderful opportunity to give back, especially when they know their help is greatly appreciated. This is something we try to instill in them now as students, in order to keep them involved.” The SAA also continues to seek out alumni speakers of various fields who would be willing to share their experiences at St. Joseph’s College and post-graduation. Daria Tator ’03, moderator of the SAA on the Long Island Campus, believes this will be a wonderful opportunity for the students to grow both personally and professionally, while making their mark on campus and increasing their SJC loyalty. “I look forward to working with all the new members and helping them recognize the many great leadership experiences and opportunities that are available to them through their involvement in the Association,” said Tator. “Not only will they be involved in campus activities and community service efforts, but they’ll also be given the unique opportunity to attend alumni events and interact and network with SJC alumni, which will help them better understand the importance of being an active and loyal alumnus of the College.” The SAA looks forward to its continued growth and success, hoping to make history and create a new spirit of alumni pride for St. Joseph’s College. The Long Island Campus is actively recruiting members and plans to formally establish its own SAA in the fall of 2008. |
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This year, the Office of Alumni Relations found itself expanding and growing by leaps and bounds to include many new programs, events, and activities. One of the most exciting additions to the list of programs that were initiated over the past year is the Student Alumni Association (SAA)—a thriving, elite extracurricular club that has begun its first semester on the Brooklyn Campus. Thus far, 20 members have joined and interest is still growing.