My name is Stacie Hurley, and I am the current president of the Student Alumni Association (SAA). The purpose of the SAA is to bridge the gap between students and alumni. We host events that invite alumni back to campus to keep our many traditions alive and thriving. We also provide opportunities for students to network with alumni. Our organization is part of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (CASE ASAP). CASE ASAP connects student advancement programs internationally to foster and enhance student involvement in all areas of advancement—from alumni relations and communications to fundraising, marketing and related areas. We have learned so much and come up with many exciting new ideas for events and programming to make Albertus more vibrant. Participating in CASE ASAP conference and events give students and organizations a chance to interact, brainstorm and network to create new ideas for their individual campus communities.
In February of 2015, the Student Alumni Association initiated a new slate of officers. Together, we attended the District 1 CASE ASAP Conference at Fairfield University. District 1 is comprised of 32 organizations. At the conference, we heard from other groups that wanted to thrive just as much as we do. We were able to take some of their strategies and implement them in our organization at Albertus. At the end of each day, the Executive Board would meet and brainstorm new ideas. The amount of information was amazing! We came up with so many thoughts and ideas that we were able to put our own twist on. This conference was a stepping stone in strengthening our organization. We evolved from seven individuals to one well-oiled machine. Once we started putting our minds together, the plans we created and the goals we set in place would change our organization into a powerhouse. But what was our next step? How could we keep growing and thriving?
As a team, we decided to work toward attending the National CASE ASAP Conference in Washington, D.C., in August. More than 600 students from across the nation attend this premier event. Being able to participate in a conference like this would provide access to knowledge needed to keep the Student Alumni Association on the path to success. We were determined to get all seven of us to the conference. We added an eighth member to the Executive Board to ensure that we would operate efficiently to achieve our goals. At times, it seemed impossible, but working together we achieved our goal. On August 6, all eight members of the Albertus SAA Executive Board will be traveling to the Capitol. Not only are we attending the conference, we were also selected to present an educational session about the programming we are doing at Albertus. We are all overwhelmed by the generosity of the College community in supporting our dream. When you first begin attending college, you cross your fingers and hope for the best. If someone told me as a freshman what I would be doing my junior year, I would not have believed them.
Albertus offers its students life changing opportunities. I am encouraged by the support of the Student Government Association, Alumni Office and alumni. I have learned that if we put our minds to something it is not impossible to achieve it. As a group we have grown and evolved from strangers, to friends, to a team that has been selected among the best groups in the country to share the work we are doing at Albertus. I am so proud of my friends and fellow officers who will represent Albertus at the National CASE conference to share with our peers how the Albertus SAA engaged the campus community and got students involved in making Albertus an amazing place to be – for generations of future Falcons. Keep your eyes on the Student Alumni Association, we’re ready to do big things.
Photo from Fairfield University (February 2015)
Top Row, L to R: Melanie Amento ’17, Co-VP Social Media and Marketing; Stacie Hurley ’17, President; Jake Curello ’17, VP Communications; Taylor Boynton ’17, VP Finance. Seated L to R: Samantha Milano ’16, VP Membership; Steven Rignoli ’17, VP Programming; Veronica Brunetti ’16, Co-VP Social Media and Marketing. Not pictured: Giana Fazzino ’17, VP Fundraising and Philanthropy.
