![Ann Laatsch]()
Happy spring, fellow Pios! I hope that this month’s Alumni Council update finds you enjoying the warmer temperatures and looking forward to a summer that looks a little more like what we knew before the word “pandemic” was in our daily vocabulary.
The Alumni Council has just completed its annual Student Alumni Ambassador selection process, and I thought this would be a good time to offer some background about this program, and the key role Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAAs) serve on the Council and as representatives of the University. The Student Alumni Ambassador program began in 1997 as the "Alumni In Residence Award.” The Alumni Council (then Alumni Association) developed an intentional relationship with selected students before they graduated in order to promote the Alumni Association and to develop a pipeline of engaged alumni. In 2005, this award became the current Student Alumni Ambassador Program, with students serving as ex-officio members of the Alumni Council and representing Carroll at events locally and across the country.
By inviting students to become involved prior to graduation, the Council cultivates future alumni leaders who will develop a lifelong partnership with the University. SAAs are nominated by faculty, staff, or advisors, can self-nominate, or be nominated by existing SAAs. They are then interviewed by the Council. Ambassadors are chosen based on their demonstrated leadership, academic standing, and ability to build relationships with other students and campus organizations. Once selected, they serve a two-year commitment during their junior and senior years.
During my time on the Council, it has been a pleasure to get to know these students and to hear about their Carroll experiences. They are a diverse, enthusiastic, and accomplished group who, despite their busy schedules, still find time to participation in alumni gatherings, attend Institutional Advancement events, and engage in meaningful collaborations throughout the greater campus community. Student Alumni Ambassadors serve as the liaisons between the student body and the alumni community, and their insight, energy, and leadership are key to the Council’s work.
This spring, we express our deep gratitude as we bid farewell to graduating SAA’s Katie Dobrzynski '21, Meghan Grimm '21, Ty Michalowski '21, Jess Olle '21, Elizabeth Ponga '21, and Taylor Zeinert '20, who graduated in December. While they may be leaving campus, we look forward to continuing to work with them as they transition to their next chapters as alumni.
We are also thrilled to welcome rising Juniors Mary Antrim ’23, Cady English ’23, Rocco Rooney ’23, and Emily Zuleger ’23 to the Council. As we hope to be able to conduct more in-person events this year, we look forward to many opportunities for the current SAA’s to engage with alumni, offer their perspectives on their time at Carroll, and support the Council’s mission.
For more about the Student Alumni Ambassador program, please visit the website. I also invite you to learn more about the Alumni Council and explore ways that you can stay connected to Carroll, no matter where you are!