Celebrating Alumni Volunteers

On Tuesday, December 12, the Office of Alumni Engagement thanked the many hard-working alumni volunteers who support the office for their year-round service with a Holiday Social at The Shannon Rose in Clifton. Dedicated alumni serve as incredible partners who make the University’s affinity groups possible, including the Black Alumni Advisory Council (BAAC), Bloomfield College Alumni Association (BCAA), Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Alumni Network (HLAN), Recent Alumni Network (RAN), Prudential Alumni and the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN). Alumni had the opportunity to spend time with each other learning about the different initiatives planned and how they might work together.

“Our affinity group volunteers make it possible for alumni to stay connected year-round through meaningful events and activities,” says Jeanne Marano, assistant vice president of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. “They are truly an extraordinary group of alumni and we are so grateful to have them involved in the important work we do each and every day to support the mission of Montclair State University. Our hope is that during this holiday season, their service will inspire others to get involved.”

Black Alumni Advisory Council (BAAC)
The Black Alumni Advisory Council was created to engage Black alumni in support of the Montclair State University mission of educational, institutional and overall university community initiatives, policies and activities that strengthen relationships with the Black community and promote social justice, equity and inclusion among alumni and students. The Council held its inaugural meeting at Homecoming 2021. Some of the past events hosted include a barbecue celebrating Juneteenth, a gala raising funds for book scholarships and a panel discussion with the Jersey Four developed for Black History Month. 

“The Affinity Group Holiday Social proved to be another wonderful evening, bringing together diverse alumni volunteers to celebrate the holiday season and foster valuable connections,” says Joanne Bowman ’82, BAAC president. “Such gatherings typify the unique and special bond that comes with being an MSU alum.” 

To learn more about the BAAC, visit the BAAC website, take the BAAC interest survey, visit the networking group BAAC on MONTCLAIRconnect, or contact Briana Curtis, associate director of Alumni Engagement at curtisbr@montclair.edu or 973-655-7478.

Bloomfield College Alumni Association (BCAA)
Bloomfield College officially became Bloomfield College of Montclair State University on July 1. With this historic merger, we were thrilled to welcome all alumni and the Bloomfield College Alumni Association to the Montclair family with our first official event at Homecoming 2023. The BCAA embraces the mission of fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the College and its alumni, to perpetuate a sense of pride in and commitment to the outstanding qualities of the College and the education it provides, and to promote, in partnership, a positive image of the College and its alumni through communication, service and leadership.

“The gathering at The Shannon Rose, especially as the leader of the Bloomfield College Alumni Association, symbolizes the unity following the merger with MSU,” says Maurice Lyle ’09, BCAA president. “Although it was a way of Montclair thanking alumni volunteers, to me it was also a bridge for alumni from both schools to connect, celebrate our combined history and strengthen the bonds of our now shared journey. I’m looking forward to more moments of camaraderie and pride.”

Some of the past activities hosted for the BCAA include a financial literacy panel for students and a career workshop for students and alumni focused on working in a corporate environment versus becoming an entrepreneur. In addition, the Office of Alumni Engagement hosted an evening with President Koppell and Chancellor Evans in November, bringing together alumni, faculty and staff to hear about the vision for Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.

To learn more about the Bloomfield College Alumni Association, please visit the BCAA website or contact Briana Curtis, associate director of Alumni Engagement at curtisbr@montclair.edu or 973-655-7478

Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Alumni Network (HLAN)
The Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Alumni Network formed in 2021 to provide opportunities for networking among alumni and a forum to strengthen connections with the University and its students. Montclair State University is designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution and HLAN is proud to serve our growing community of Hispanic/Latinx/a/o alumni. Past HLAN events include support of the Hispanic Student College Institute, a spring networking event and participating in a Hispanic Heritage Month panel discussion. 

HLAN member and graduate student, Marilyn Moya ’98, commented on the holiday social: “It is always wonderful to meet alumni from the various alumni affinity groups, but this year was extra special as we were able to welcome Bloomfield College alumni to the nest! Welcome/Bienvenidos! Happy Holidays to our alumni family!”  

For more information about HLAN, please visit the HLAN website, complete the HLAN interest survey, visit HLAN on MONTCLAIRconnect, or contact Renee Giliberti, associate director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement at gilibertir@montclair.edu or 973-655-7872.

Recent Alumni Network (RAN)
The Recent Alumni Network represents graduates of the last decade (classes of 2013 – 2023). The group works to support new graduates as they make the transition to alumni, address the special interests and needs of the first years following Commencement and provide opportunities for networking, community service, cultural and professional development activities. Past events have included a fall social and a “Rock Your LinkedIn Profile” workshop.

RAN committee member, Bobby Serrani’16, ’18 MA, remarked, “The Holiday Social was a great chance to get together, share some holiday cheer, exchange ideas for future RAN activities and get to connect with different alumni! It was nice to network with other affinity group committee members, and reconnect with some familiar ones, too. We’re looking forward to a wonderful new year engaging Montclair’s recent alumni of the last ten years!”

To learn more about RAN, visit the RAN website, complete the RAN interest survey, join the RAN group on MONTCLAIRconnect, or contact Nada Rustom, associate director of Alumni Engagement at rustomn@montclair.edu or 973-655-3323.

Women’s Initiative Network (WIN)

The Women’s Initiative Network works to engage the more than 93,000 Montclair State University alumnae in the intellectual, cultural and educational life of the University. WIN seeks to empower the next generation of leaders and strengthen ties between and among alumnae and the University through a strong network of women committed to supporting Montclair State University. 

Past events include leadership development workshops on topics of building your personal brand and negotiation in the workplace, and most recently, NinjaTime™, a workshop on how to maximize daily productivity.

WIN member Tezeta Roro ’06 shares: “As an introvert, I was going back and forth on going to this social event as I have limited social battery. BOY was I glad that I went! I connected and reconnected with many alumni – a few I have seen before and many I have not. We connected on a variety of topics from career, parenting, NinjaTime™ and everything in between. The venue was perfect for me to feel comfortable and connect with just about every table. I look forward to nurturing the connections I have made at this social. This has given me the encouragement to make every effort to make it to upcoming alumni socials and I encourage everyone to do the same.”

To learn more about WIN, visit the WIN website, take the WIN interest survey, visit WIN on MONTCLAIRconnect, or contact Rachel Vigilante, associate director of Alumni Engagement at vigilanter@montclair.edu or 973-655-5465.

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