AAMC News

Dear Alumnae Community,

As I complete my six years as president of the AAMC, I look back at some of the significant moments of my tenure. 2016: President Alecia DeCoudreaux signed the Compact, which would redefine the AAMC-College relationship—and lead to a more specific AAMC-College operating agreement.

February 2017: The AAMC endowed two $100,000 scholarships for DACA students and the Oakland Promise to enable high school students in Oakland to attend Mills.

May 2017: The AAMC–Mills College Working Group submitted its “Report on the Implementation of the AAMC-Mills College Compact and Points of Agreement” to the Mills College Board of Trustees and the AAMC Board of Governors, which was approved in October. This shaped the future of the AAMC, including our role in fundraising, our use of Reinhardt Alumnae House, and opportunities for alumnae to engage with the College. The signing of the 2017 Memorandum of Collaboration and Agreement (MOC) between the AAMC and Mills College was a huge step forward in solidifying our partnership, and we began to see the benefits of the MOC as the AAMC and the College worked together to advance several key initiatives of MillsNext.

December 2017: The AAMC Board of Governors made a historic decision as a board and voted unanimously to extend a $2-million line of credit to the College to fund two important academic initiatives: The Mills Undergraduate Signature Experience to redesign the undergraduate experience and enhance student recruitment and retention, and the Online

which included two MA programs.

September 2018: The AAMC made a $10,000 gift to help train faculty for online teaching. These were exciting times for the AAMC and the College, and resulted in close collaboration and joint initiatives.

July 2020: During the pandemic, the AAMC raised more than $40,000 in hardship funds to help support international students who were unable to go back to their home countries. The relationship between the College and AAMC was the best I’d ever experienced, with trustees, governors, College officers, and staff being engaged.

March 2021: The announcement of the College’s closure began a challenging and painful time for the AAMC. The alumnae community became polarized in its view of the lawsuits between the College and the AAMC, as well as the Northeastern University merger. Both parties ended their lawsuits in January 2022.

February 2022: The AAMC held a summit to define the AAMC’s future as well as the Mills legacy as an empowering space for women and for lifelong connections. Since February, the AAMC and Mills have been in negotiations about Reinhardt Alumnae House and the alumnae database. The College has assured the AAMC that the terms of the MOC will continue regarding the exclusive use of Reinhardt Alumnae House for the next academic year. During the next year, the AAMC leadership will have ongoing conversations about the future partnership with Mills College at Northeastern. March 2022: The Alecia DeCoudreaux Endowed Scholarship for students of color reached the $254,100 mark. There is a lot more to reflect on, but I do want to express my appreciation to all who have served and will continue serving—and particularly those who are leaving the board this year: Gwen Jackson Foster ’67, Myila Granberry ’05, Adrienne McMichael Foster ’74, Debi Wood ’75, Courtney Long ’01, Claudia Mercado ’06, and Alexa Pagonas ’91. I also want to express my congratulations to incoming board members and ask that you extend your support and give a warm welcome to Debby Campbell Dittman ’68, the incoming president. I have every confidence that I am leaving the AAMC in good hands.

On May 12, the AAMC lost one of its beloved alumnae, Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02 (to my right in the Pearl M photo on the opposite page). She was a super volunteer who was on campus on May 2 to assemble and distribute finals snacks to students. Anyone who knew Lynda will attest to her warm smile, generous heart, and deep love for Mills. While we will miss her here on earth, she will live in our hearts forever.

I want to close with one plea to all alumnae: Regardless of our differences, let us come together to cherish and keep alive the mission and legacy of Mills, which has been and will continue to be part of our lives forever.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you as the president of the AAMC, and fare thee well.

Warmly,

Viji Nakka-Cammauf, MA ’82

AAMC President

Over the past few months, the AAMC has held two in-person summits and collected data through a survey to gather alumnae input regarding the future of the AAMC: its mission, membership, and activities. Overall, alumnae advocated for women- and justicecentered programs, a preservation of Mills College’s history and legacy, and prioritization for reconnection and continued connection among alumnae. Along with the preservation of alumnae awards, travel programs, and reunions, alumnae have expressed interest in maintaining the Mills mission of supporting marginalized students—through endowed scholarships that would support students at Mills College at Northeastern University and in the community at large; mentorship; and advocacy for social justice. To stay up-to-date on the AAMC’s future, please subscribe to our newsletter at aamc-mills.org.

On April 26, the AAMC worked with the Office of Alumnae Relations to host the traditional Pearl M dinner in celebration of the Class of 2022. Students joined alumnae, board members, and College officers for a dinner in Rothwell Student Center and heard remarks of congratulations from President Elizabeth L. Hillman, Interim Provost Patricia Hardaway, and AAMC President Viji Nakka-Cammauf, MA ’82. Afterwards, attendees processed to sing “Remember” and “Fires of Wisdom” around the Music Building pond and enjoyed dessert at Reinhardt Alumnae House. The AAMC sends well wishes and congratulations to the resilient Class of 2022!

To stay up-to-date on the latest AAMC news, sign up for the AAMC-managed newsletter, and purchase mugs and other merchandise, visit our new website at aamc-mills.org.

Once again, the Alumnae