To strengthen the connections between Wayne State University and its more than 302,000 living alumni, the Office of Alumni Relations and Wayne State Alumni Association are being reorganized and modernized to improve their impact and better serve the campus community.
A current vacancy in the lead role in Alumni Relations provides an opportunity to examine the structure and critical role functions. The department will also draw from examples of other R1 universities nationwide that have strengthened their own alumni offices, according to Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs David Ripple.
“With the strategic plan as a backdrop and President Espy’s priorities as a guide, we can develop a modern, effective alumni engagement strategy that originates from all areas of campus and not just the Alumni Relations office,” Ripple said. “This reorganization reaches through our corporate and industry partners, our neighboring communities, and beyond with the goal to create a truly vibrant network of enthusiastic supporters of our students, faculty, staff and researchers.”
Wayne State’s College to Career initiative, Ripple added, provides a thoughtful example of the effectiveness of connecting alumni and students through internships, mentoring, events, and other initiatives supported by faculty and staff.
With this reorganization designed to heighten alumni engagement in new and exciting ways, Ripple is expanding the duties and expectations of the leadership role to that of an assistant vice president. The role will report directly to him, which is the typical structure and level of leadership at R1 universities of Wayne State’s size and scope.
“Engaging and communicating with our alumni is an element of our university’s strategic plan and provides important benefits to our current Wayne State students, faculty and staff,” said Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D. “We can have an even greater impact by energizing our talented and successful alumni to better connect with and support so many university activities.”
A search committee composed of university leadership and WSU Alumni Board representatives will lead the process, which will also include candidate vetting with key campus constituents. To further support filling this role, the university has also contracted with Talent Citizen to conduct a national search and connect with former Detroiters who can bring their talents back to the city. Nominations for potential candidates can be sent to Itzel Jodway, talent acquisition specialist in Development and Alumni Affairs, at ht9298@wayne.edu.
As the Division of Development works to prepare for the university’s next comprehensive fundraising campaign, there will be further efforts to unify communications between development, alumni relations, campus communicators, and the university’s Office of Marketing and Communications.
“We know there is an eagerness in Michigan and across the country to be part of the Detroit and Wayne State story, and we are confident we will find an experienced and accomplished alumni leader,” Ripple said. “This is a critical time to get our story, messaging and engagement strategies aligned for our division, for our campaign and for our university.”