Six Great Ways to (Re)connect with Meredith
Vital Roles Alumnae Play for Their Alma Mater
By Melyssa Allen
Six Great Ways to (Re)connect with Meredith
Vital Roles Alumnae Play for Their Alma Mater
By Melyssa Allen
No matter how many years have passed since you graduated from Meredith College, there are a variety of opportunities to stay connected or reconnect with your alma mater. We invite you to come back to campus, connect with the Alumnae Association, and engage in ways that are meaningful to you.
Become Involved with the Alumnae Association
An easy way to stay connected to Meredith is through the Alumnae Association. Meredith benefits from an active alumnae community.
“Alumnae are vital to the life of Meredith College, and alumnae engagement leads to lifelong relationships,” said Director of Alumnae Relations Hilary Allen, ’01. “More than anything, the Meredith College Alumnae Association is a strong network based on shared experiences that connect the past, present, and future of the College.”
Allen calls alumnae Meredith’s best ambassadors. “Meredith alumnae fulfill so many roles at the College – recruitment of future students, retention, mentoring, internships, and career preparation for current students, College or class volunteer, and donor. Each alumna fosters connections within one’s class, employer, and city/region.”
Whether it is attendance at a regional or on-campus event, sharing a class note in Meredith Magazine, wearing your Meredith College ring, going on an Alumnae and Friends trip, sharing a photo of your pet in a Meredith bandana on social media, or posting Meredith information in your classroom or office, there are many opportunities for engagement – big and small.
Allen and her Alumnae Office colleagues work hard to provide opportunities for alumnae who do not live close to campus.
“We recognize that our alumnae live across the globe and seek to involve them in the life of the College through in-person and virtual events as well as other outreach efforts,” Allen said. “Outreach events, both on campus and in regional locations, have always been at the heart of our work within the Alumnae Office.”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alumnae Office shifted from in-person events to all virtual events.
“We are continuing to offer virtual events, such as the book club, Trick or Trot, and an election series featuring Dr. David McLennan, professor of political science and director of The Meredith Poll,” Allen said.
Connect Prospective Students with Admissions
The Office of Alumnae Relations also facilitates other ways to support student recruitment and engage with current students. “Alumnae can support admissions by helping us recruit a new generation of Meredith students by referring a student or bringing a prospective student to Discover Meredith,” Allen said. “For our current students, alumnae can participate in Meredith Mentors, both in-person events and online connections through the platform, and on campus at Homecoming or during Move-In Day.”
You can help Admissions by providing prospective students with a voucher that waives the application fee. Visit meredith.edu/alumnae and click on Events -> Get Involved for the waiver link and more information.
Support the Career Goals of Current Students
As a Meredith graduate, you share a special connection with students and other alumnae. Here are some ways Meredith’s Office of Career Planning (OCP) suggests alumnae can support students in achieving their career goals.
- OCP invites you to share full-time job and internship opportunities at your place of employment with us via Handshake, our centralized recruiting platform, open to all Meredith students. Access Handshake on the OCP website: meredith.edu/career-planning.
- OCP hosts several professional development opportunities
- for students each semester, including mock interviews, resumé reviews, and panel discussions. OCP relies on employers and professionals from the community to support these events each year, and welcome alumnae volunteers.
- Attend Meredith career fairs, networking nights, and on-campus recruiting events! Represent your company or organization at these events to connect with current students.
- OCP encourages current students to use LinkedIn frequently to make connections and build their professional network. You are also invited to join the OCP LinkedIn Group. (Search for Meredith College Office of Career Planning (OCP) on LinkedIn)
“If you receive outreach from current students via LinkedIn, accept their invitation to connect, and say yes to requests for informational interviews,” said Jane Matthews, associate director of employer relations. “These are great ways to support our students in their career decision-making process and help them make connections with alumnae in their fields of interest.”
Contact Jane Matthews, associate director, employer relations, Office of Career Planning at jkmatthews@meredith.edu with any questions about how to get involved.
Come to Campus to See Meredith’s Updated Spaces
If it has been a while since you’ve been able to visit Meredith in person, stop by and see how Meredith has changed in recent years – from the newly opened Communication and Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences (CHESS) Building to a renovated Meredith Lake, the Lowery Fitness Center, and a Welcome Center for admissions in Johnson Hall. Be sure to stop by the Campus Store in Cate Center and refresh your Meredith T-shirt collection.
Can’t make it in person? Check out our virtual tour. While it is designed for prospective students, it is an easy way to get an overview of Meredith’s campus and facilities.
Explore Your Interests
Graduation doesn’t mean you have to stop learning at Meredith. You can visit campus for performances and lectures throughout the academic year.
Meredith has vibrant arts programs in music, theatre, dance, and visual art. Each program presents concerts, plays, and exhibitions that are free and open to the public. Meredith regularly hosts lectures including the annual Faculty Distinguished Lecture, the Woman of Achievement Lecture, and talks sponsored by academic departments. Friends of the Carlyle Campbell Library frequently welcomes best-selling authors in partnership with Quail Ridge Books.
Arts events are highlighted on Meredith’s website at meredith.edu/cultural-arts and college-sponsored events that are open to the public are posted at meredith.edu/calendar.
As an alumna, you can also take classes at Meredith, including degree and non-degree options.
Cheer on the Avenging Angels
If you love sports, Meredith has teams you can support! The Avenging Angels field teams in 10 sports – basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Meredith’s athletics program has won 31 USA South championships and had 17 NCAA appearances.
Attendance at home games is free – visit goavengingangels.com for current schedules.
Stay Connected
If these opportunities are appealing, make sure the Alumnae Office has your updated contact information. This will help ensure you get invitations for major events like Alumnae Reunion Weekend and smaller gatherings like chapter meetings. The Alumnae Office also uses its mailing and email lists to keep alumnae updated on Meredith College news and events.
Visit meredith.edu/alumnae and use the Update Information link to provide your details.