AAMC NEWS & NOTES A Message from the AAMC President The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the Alumnae
know which committees are currently seeking new members.
Association of Mills College (AAMC) to work in very different
The BOG has also continued to assess its programs and make
ways, especially since the campus continues to be closed to visi-
changes when needed. Three years ago, the AAMC and Mills
tors—including most alumnae—to reduce the risk of con-
College together launched MillsConnect, a networking and mentorship platform created for Mills alum-
tagion. Fewer students are living on campus than usual, and almost all of their classes are online.
nae and students. We want to thank those of you
A major part of our mission is to support Mills
who supported and participated on this plat-
students, and we’ve been able to continue to do
form. The students who used MillsConnect
so through socially distanced and virtual events.
benefited greatly from your mentorship, per-
At the end of last semester, Alumnae Student
spective, and advice. In the years since we
Relations Committee members assembled and
first launched, though, we found that students did not use the platform as much as
distributed 150 finals snack bags on campus.
we had anticipated or hoped. Because of this,
Students always look forward to this finals tradition and were delighted to pick them up and chat—at a safe distance—with alumnae. The committee also co-sponsored
the
MillsConnect
Steering
Committee
decided
not to renew our contract with the platform provider,
an online Winter Celebration for students who completed their
PeopleGrove, and MillsConnect shut down on February 13.
degrees in December. Family members from near and far joined in
We encourage you to join at least one of the two Mills-oriented
the celebration and made it a memorable and moving experience.
groups on LinkedIn: Mills College Connections, which is open to
We are looking forward to more such gatherings this spring.
students and alumnae; and Mills College Alumnae, specifically
During the pandemic, the Board of Governors (BOG) and its
for alumnae. Joining one or both of these groups can keep you
committees have been meeting regularly online or by confer-
up-to-date with what Mills graduates and students are doing
ence call. We continue to renew the leadership of the AAMC
professionally and help you to make valuable connections.
through our nominations process and the annual election of a
One program that will make a big impact on students far
new alumna trustee. Please cast your vote for this year’s candi-
into the future is the Alumnae of Color Endowed Scholarship,
date for alumna trustee. You can read the nominee’s statement,
established by the AAMC’s Alumnae of Color Committee. We
as well as more information on how to cast your vote, on the
will share updates about it in the future as fundraising con-
next page.
tinues, but this winter we received very sad news about the
Another way to get involved and lend your support is by serv-
first recipient of the scholarship: Sharon Robinson ’14, MPP ’15,
ing on one of the committees of the AAMC BOG. I encourage
passed away after a battle with cancer. I was blessed to know
you to peruse the AAMC website at aamc.mills.edu for a list
Sharon and experience her generosity, optimism, and ability to
of committees. You can always reach out to me if you’d like to
lift anyone’s spirit at any time. All who knew her will forever cherish Sharon. You can learn more about her in this issue’s In Memoriam section. As we continue to navigate these challenging times, I gain strength from those who have journeyed ahead of us. These affirming words of Maya Angelou grant us wisdom: A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself. I am grateful to have met so many Mills alumnae who embody this spirit. Until we can safely meet together in person, be safe and well and enjoy the spring. Warmly, Viji Nakka-Cammauf, MA ’82 AAMC President
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M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
