CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS

above L-R NICK KOENIG (2016), ERICA RODGERS (2014), SAVANA ST. AUBIN (2012), LEE RECTOR (2009)

Delphian Alumni Network Association News

This past Alumni Weekend, Lee Rector (class of 2009) & Savana St. Aubin (class of 2012) took on the volunteer position of Heads of Alumni Engagement and Communication for the Delphian Alumni Association. This new role aims to cultivate and nurture mentorship connections between alumni and students, fostering a supportive network that encourages continued growth and development.

Delphian Magazine: What inspired you to join the Alumni Association in a leadership position?

Lee and Savana: As alumni, we know firsthand that Delphian graduates are changing the world. Delphian is an integral part of our lives. It’s where we crafted ourselves into who we are. It’s where we cultivated our ability to take on anything we have a mind to do. It’s where we stumbled, learned, and grew into the adults we are today. And to risk getting a little mushy, it’s also where we fell in love.

Right now, Delphian is tackling a massive mission worthy of all our assistance: to empower young adults to bring positive change in the world through reason, creativity, and integrity. It is an honor for us to take on the Heads of Alumni Engagement and Communications role to contribute to this effort.

DM: What will be your focus?

L&S: We have already begun working on several mentorship-focused initiatives that will allow more and more students to connect with alumni, practice their networking skills, and get real-world advice on how to tackle their dreams.

We really feel that mentorship is at the heart of the Alumni Association. For example, the Alumni-hosted seminars have been a part of Alumni Weekend for decades and are excellent for fostering organic mentorship between alumni and students.

Since we were students, we have loved the connection with alumni, students, and staff from these seminars. Coming full circle from being a student asking for advice to hosting and offering advice is gratifying. This past Alumni Weekend, a student was inspired by Lee’s seminar and came up to him afterward, expressing a genuine interest in aviation and becoming a pilot.

We make it a point to attend as many Alumni Weekends as possible and host seminars whenever possible.

DM: How can mentorship be achieved outside of Alumni Weekend?

L&S: Let us answer that question with a huge win! The same student from Alumni Weekend reached out to Lee via the new Alumni networking website. That led to an incredibly enjoyable 30-minute phone call, where the student walked away equipped with clear next steps and recommendations for how to achieve his goal of getting his pilot’s license by the time he graduates from Delphian.

Currently enrolled students can also access the alumni website to make mentoring connections, get help from their supervisors, or work with Tkeisha Wydro (class of 1999), Director of Public Outreach, for help making those valuable one-on-one connections with alumni in their fields of interest.

DM: Can you give more information on how the Alumni Website works?

L&S: Long story short, it’s a website that allows alumni and students to connect with each other. From one alum to another, it is what social media was initially meant to be before it became data farming.

The web address is www.DelphianAlumni.org. It’s open to anyone who has ever attended Delphian and it already has hundreds of alumni signed on. The student profiles have special, limited access to reach out to alumni in their chosen field via messaging through the website.

From there, you can message and email back and forth or swap phone numbers and schedule a call because who wouldn’t love getting a call from a student or fellow alum where you can mentor, network, and reminisce?

A map feature lets you see who is in your local area (or where you plan to visit). There’s a directory to find all our old friends or others in industries we’re interested in. There’s even a place to post job opportunities.

DM: When is the best time for alumni to register?

L&S: The best time is now. Don’t wait to finish reading this. We’re all busy. We’re Delphians! So, sign up now. We can’t wait to meet everyone and work together to create a beautiful future.

L&S: Yes, there are several projects we need help with right now that can be done from wherever you are. You do not have to make it up the hill. So, if you have an hour or a handful of them you can put in each week or month, let’s talk. You can reach us via DelphianAlumni.org or Tkeisha Wydro (tkeisha@delphian.org) at the school.

DM: Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share?

L&S: We’re not kidding about signing up. You’re too busy to do it later. Sign up now!

Delphian Alumni Website