SIPA Alumni Association
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Dear SIPA Alumni, We are pleased to announce the launch of the SIPA Alumni Association, a new effort that will bring together SIPA’s many alumni-related initiatives into a single organization to better connect alumni to each other and to the School. The SIPA Alumni Association reflects both the growing engagement of our alumni in the School and the importance of continuing to support SIPA students and our broader programs. While SIPA for many years has offered ways for alumni to get involved through mentoring, admissions support, and events like Alumni Day and reunions, this new organization will build on those efforts while being more inclusive of all programs at SIPA. We hope that this introduction to the SIPA Alumni Association will encourage you to find new ways to become involved and to further strengthen the relationships and connections that you developed while at SIPA. We thank you for your ongoing support for the School, and we hope to see you at SIPA events around the world. Sincerely,
Merit E. Janow Dean, School of International and Public Affairs Professor of Professional Practice, International Economic Law and International Affairs, Columbia University Roger Baumann IF ’84, MIA ’85 Chair, SIPA Alumni Association Executive Committee and SIPA Advisory Board Member
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Guide Alumni and Student Careers SIPA’s experienced alumni reach out to young graduates and current students through our comprehensive mentoring program. Originally launched as a small program in New York with 20 senior alumni mentoring 20 recent graduates, the mentoring program now reaches more than 800 alumni and students from all over the world. Alumni mentors help their mentees in specific career fields, sharing advice about opportunities, networking, and interviewing. The mentoring relationship can be short—just a handful of meetings—or last several years. The SIPA Alumni Association’s Careers and Mentoring Committee works to make effective matches based on backgrounds, skills sets, and the needs of the mentee. This committee also hosts events that allow mentors to meet with their mentees.
“Getting the chance to help organize the mentor program has enabled me to reengage with SIPA, interact with the broader alumni community, and even get back in touch with some former SIPA classmates. Participating in the program has allowed me to pass along some of the career advice I received as a student and has been helpful in encouraging me to reflect on my own career path as well.” —Jeffrey Levine MPA ’05
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Share Your SIPA Experience with Future Students Each year, several thousand potential students apply to Columbia SIPA, many with questions about the fit of the School for their specific goals. To address those questions, SIPA supports a growing network of alumni who volunteer to speak to both applicants and admitted students, answering their questions about the academic and social aspects of the School and the benefits of a degree from SIPA. These alumni send congratulatory notes to admitted students, answer their questions, and celebrate the students’ admission and enrollment. They also support many of the efforts of SIPA’s admissions office, either by sharing their experiences on panels or at graduate school college fairs. The Admissions Ambassadors Committee welcomes volunteers who can meet with students and represent SIPA at admissions events.
“SIPA was a foundational experience, giving me a richer and more nuanced understanding of the world and providing the fulcrum for my career. I believe SIPA prepares its students to be the best leaders, mediators, and innovators in our globally interconnected world. SIPA gave me so much, and I wanted to give back. I also wanted to make sure that postgraduation, I stayed connected to the School, its students, faculty, and alumni. The SIPA Alumni Association keeps me abreast of what’s going on at SIPA and facilitates the connection to SIPA’s worldwide network of alumni. The SIPA experience shouldn’t—and doesn’t—end when you receive your diploma. I especially enjoy working as an admissions ambassador—it’s a great way to give back but to also share my enthusiasm for SIPA.” —Sarah Tomolonius MPA ’09
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A Weekend of Alumni Celebration SIPA invites alumni to return to campus for an annual weekend of activities celebrating SIPA and the alumni experience, highlighted by our Gala, Alumni Day, and Reunions. The Gala is an exceptional event honoring alumni and others who exemplify global leadership. Alumni Day features a day of panels, speakers, and networking. Panel discussions focus on timely issues about which our faculty and alumni have deep and current knowledge. A luncheon with a keynote speaker anchors the day of activities. SIPA invites alumni celebrating a reunion for a reception and dinner. Class volunteers also plan additional activities around the full weekend of celebration.
“Volunteering allows me to stay connected to SIPA and fellow alumni and to be a more informed and active alumna. The benefit of being a volunteer is that it gives you the opportunity to participate in one of the board committees, be an ambassador at SIPA alumni events, and give back by mentoring current students or recent alumni. The time spent as a SIPA student was a special time for many, and being a member of the Alumni Association recaptures that unique feeling of being part of a community whose goal is making the world a better place.” —Georgette James MIA ’03, CERT ’03
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SIPA AlumnI ASSocIATIon: KeePInG You connecTed You can stay in touch with SIPA and your fellow alumni through a wealth of programs and opportunities.
lifelong access to great ideas from SIPA As a SIPA alum, you are invited to hundreds of events each year with fellow alumni, faculty, and special guests—both on campus and off— focused on a variety of timely topics: Alumni Day and Reunion Annual Gala Speakers at SIPA Networking events, panel discussions, and happy hours in the U.S. and around the world Multischool events with other public policy and international affairs schools Webinars
Contacts from every SIPA class As a SIPA alum, you have access to the SIPA Alumni Directory, which allows you to search for old friends and new contacts in any field, in more than 150 countries worldwide.
lifelong career support It doesn’t stop when you graduate. SIPA alumni can: Find job postings on SIPAlink and the online job database Network through LinkedIn Participate in the alumni mentoring program and have access to career coaches
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newS oF Your School— and the world All SIPA alumni receive a subscription to SIPA’s magazine, SIPA News, as well as newsletters and dean’s updates. In addition, SIPA alumni are automatically members of the Columbia Alumni Association. Through it, you can access: Lifelong e-mail forwarding from your Columbia e-mail address Connection to more than 300,000 alumni worldwide, via events and career networking opportunities Membership in U.S. and international Columbia clubs and membership (for a fee) at the Columbia University Club of New York Lifetime use of Columbia University’s libraries Membership in the Columbia Alumni Arts League Membership at the Dodge Fitness Center
“Volunteering connects me to others—my fellow alumni, professors, and administrators at the School, and even to those who are just starting their SIPA journey. To be able to have an impact on the community at large, and knowing that volunteers help hold our diverse and far-reaching community together, is truly inspiring.” —emily roSS mPA ’12
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SIPA Alumni Association Executive Committee Members Roger R. Baumann IF ’84, MIA ’85, Chair
Stephanie Kahn MIA ’09
Michael Benz MPA ’10
Jeffrey Levine MPA ’05
Leo Bullaro MPA ’08
Laura Patten IF ’00, MIA ’00
Alfred Chow MIA ’09
Christopher Reim MPA ’11
Allison Cooke Kellogg IF ’72, MIA ’73
Anuj Shah MIA ’05
George Ehrhardt MPA ’12 Habib Enayetullah MPA ’91 Kirsten Frivold Imohiosen MPA ’03
Elizabeth Katkin MIA ’92
Sarah Tomolonius MPA ’09 Dario Vilchez MIA ’10 George Marshall Worthington MIA ’78
Committees of the SIPA Alumni Association Admissions Ambassadors Careers and Mentoring Communications and Outreach Events Nominating and Governance
Update your information: sipa.columbia.edu /alumni-directory Contact SIPA Office of Alumni Affairs: sipaalum@columbia.edu
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