The event was first conceived by Cassidy McCormick, the Financial Secretary of the Student Government Association (SGA), as a way to create a platform for students to meet with alumni while also raising funds for the SGA.
“I thought of having somewhere where students can meet with alumni, and I just got the chance to work from there,” McCormick shared.
She partnered with Randy Minerva, Executive Director of Annual Giving at the Alumni House, to bring this vision to life.
With a turnout of around 80 attendees, 40 students, and 40 alumni, McCormick believes the event made a lasting impact.
“It was a great evening for them to make impactful connections, explore different career opportunities, and look back on fond memories of campus,” she said. “It was a great evening for them to make impactful connections, explore different career opportunities, and look back on fond memories of campus,” she said.
The success of the event has inspired plans for similar gatherings in the future.
“We are definitely looking at having it at least once a year, maybe even once every semester,” McCormick added.
Sydney Cochran, the President of the Student Government Association, was also heavily involved with the event, alongside her work with the Student Activities Board and Delta Zeta. Cochran observed firsthand the positive impact on students.
“I’ve had multiple students come up to me and tell me that they’ve had contacts for internships, and that they’ve learned more about the next steps for their major,” she said.
While the event began with some initial shyness, by the end, everyone had made valuable contacts.
Cochran noted, “Alumni always love seeing current students, and they’re glad to see their old friends. They just really liked passing on their knowledge.”
For Tony Mauro, Associate Vice President for University Development, the event was a significant step toward helping students take the next steps in their careers.
“It was really nice to see so many students so concerned and proactive about wanting to do something with their careers,” Mauro said.
The event allowed students to engage with alumni, ask questions, and explore potential career paths.
“This is a really good start for all of these students graduating to get through the process of determining what they’re going to do next,” Mauro added.
The Student-Alumni Networking Event served as a meaningful opportunity for both students and alumni to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other. With plans to make this an annual or even semi-annual event, it’s clear that these connections will continue to be a valuable part of the PennWest California experience.
