It is with pleasure that I am greeting you as your new Queen’s University Alumni Association (QUAA) President. I am an Arts and Science graduate from 2009, having majored in Political Studies and minored in Women’s Studies – as Gender Studies was then known. I have volunteered for our Alumni Association in various capacities over the years, from volunteering with the Toronto Branch to championing philanthropic giving as a member of our QUAA Board and, most recently, as a Homecoming volunteer. Our class is celebrating its 15th reunion this fall – I hope to see some of my fellow ’09s there!
Since my term as QUAA President commenced in May, we have been busy hiring alumni to serve as directors on our newly revamped board. We were very pleased at how many alumni raised their hands when we put out the call for volunteers, and I think we have selected a talented and enthusiastic group, with good representation from across years, faculties, and disciplines.
At its inception, our new board will be spending some time looking forward, considering how best to engage association members in the life and work of the university in our increasingly complex and busy world. We will continue to build upon the work of the previous board to embed a lens of Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism in all our activities, while realigning the activities of the board to better support the Queen’s mission and vision. We want to consider if and how the Alumni Association can better support Queen’s strategic goals of embedding Queen’s in the community and strengthening Queen’s presence globally. A strong and vibrant alumni community can be an important partner in these endeavours.
Speaking of community, in addition to attending Homecoming, I am also looking forward to the Toronto Branch young alumni welcome event this fall. Attending these events is a great way for members of our alumni community to help orient new Queen’s graduates as they begin to build their networks. This opportunity for connection may be more important than ever, given how remote work has changed the career landscape. There will be other young alumni welcome events hosted this fall in other cities and I encourage alumni to see if there is an event in your area.
