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PHOTO BY CHRIS JOSEPH TAYLOR
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ALUMNI VOICE
Building a World-Class Alumni Relations PHOTO PHOT HOT TO BY CHR CHRIS IS S JJOSEPH OSEP PH T TA TAYLOR YLOR
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New AVP of Alumni Relations outlines priorities and plans for engaging alumni By Tina Potterf
As the new Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations, Susan Woerdehoff has big plans. Top of mind—make Alumni Relations a world-class office with a world-class plan. Woerdehoff knows something about success in organizations after 20 years at Microsoft. And she knows something about Seattle University as a double alumna, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications in 1990 and a Leadership Executive MBA in 2010. Woerdehoff is tasked with leading the university’s efforts to enhance alumni engagement and connections with the university. “What I want to ensure we make a reality for all students and alumni is that you are a Redhawk and part of a family when you get here,” she says, “and you are a Redhawk and have that family with you when you leave.” Here’s more of what Woerdehoff is looking to do as she aims to take Alumni Relations to the next level.
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Q. Describe your SU experience as a student and as an alumna? Susan: There is a level of care and commitment here that you can’t find anywhere else. I was connected to my classmates, dorm mates and professors who provided a level of education— both in and out of the classroom—that was stellar. All of this helped me as I got my education but also informed who I wanted to be as an alumna.
Q. What attracted you to this position as AVP of Alumni Relations?
Susan: I knew I wanted to come
back to SU in some capacity to help develop the vision and success for the university’s next decade or, as I
like to say, next century of distinction. I had this feeling that something very special is still happening here, that the university is on the precipice of something great and that alumni are an important part of making the continued success of the university a reality.
to date there are three key things that will be important to focus on. One is refreshing our web presence. The second is a greater focus online and with social media efforts. And the third is defining and developing our career resources and networking capabilities.
Q. What are your immediate
Q. What are you most looking forward
priorities in your first six months? Susan: The first thing I want to do is listen, learn, assess and be a keen observer to understand the assets and traditions SU already has. The overarching goal is to develop a strategic plan and goals that have been well informed by the recent alumni survey. In all of my conversations
to in this new role?
Susan: A year from now, success would
be a strategic plan in place that people are passionate about and can get behind. With the data from the recent alumni survey, we are listening and paying attention to what alumni told us and plan to use that to inform how we move forward. I am really looking forward to putting it all together. Read more with the AVP online at www.seattleu.edu/magazine/.
30 / Alumni Voice
ICS# 110290 • Seattle University 2011 Summer Seattle U Magazine - 44pg PAGE 30 8.5” x 11” • 175 lpi • PDFX1a • NEW-SWOP • 80# Nature Web Matte
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