ALION FOR LIFE | Alumni News
Alumni Panels Prepare Students for College Life Deciding which college to attend can be difficult, but particularly this year as families are unable to have traditional campus visits. To help, last December, the Counseling Department and Alumni Relations hosted four different sessions for students to hear from current college alumni. Sixteen alumni shared their experiences of researching, choosing, and attending colleges they now call home with current students, parents, and faculty members. This hybrid event included both panelists on Zoom and attendees in person and online, covering a myriad of topics and colleges. The following alumni offered their time and insight for the panel on Catholic colleges: Christian Cruz ’18 (Marquette University), Clare Camblin ’19 (Marquette University), Jacob Turaka ’18 (Loyola University Chicago), and Matthew McManaman ’19 (University of Notre Dame). Patti Miller ’19 (University of Notre Dame), Melissa Cortese ’17 (United States Naval Academy), and Sara Hankinson ’19 (Boston College)
participated in the panel focused on elite and competitive colleges. Anthony Maraviglia ’18 (Johns Hopkins University), Julie Warren ’19 (Penn State University), Aisling Finnegan ’20 (John Carroll University), and Emma Zajac ’19 (Ohio Wesleyan University) spoke to current students about their involvement in NCAA sports. Erin Peters ’17 (University of WisconsinMadison), Sarah Johnson ’18 (Loyola University Chicago), MaryBeth Hansen ’19 (Miami University of Ohio), Charlie Trunk ’17 (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), and Dan Thompson ’19 (Indiana University) offered their experience on the college application and search process while undecided.
College and Career Connection Seeks Alumni Mentors Connect with Alumni on New Portal Since launching in November 2020, more than 340 alumni have registered for our new alumni networking and mentoring portal. AlumniConnect allows Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary alumni/ae to connect with one another digitally, network, join communities, post jobs and internships, update information, and be or find a mentor. “The response to the platform has been great! Having a common background - like attending the same high school or college - eases the networking process whether you are trying to secure business, a new job, or simply a new friend in an industry,” Alumni Relations Manager Krystal Harris says. “AlumniConnect makes it so easy for alumni to network with one another and reach out to others in any industry for help.” Alumni of Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary can sign up today at alumniconnect.saintviator.com.
9
Current students have the opportunity to learn about specific colleges and careers from alumni mentors through the College & Career Connection (CCC). Just shy of 100 alumni signed up for the CCC last semester. As the program continues to roll out this year, College Counselor Amy Herbert is hopeful we are meeting students where they are at. “Right now, our students have lots of questions and it is amazing to see the generosity of our alumni giving back to students facing some very big decisions. More than 50 mentors received a student mentee last semester. I look forward to tapping into this group of alumni for our Career Day this spring.” To be a part of the College & Career Connection, simply register at bit.ly/3my5zFi. Doing so will not only allow you to explain what it’s like to be a Hoosier, a Spartan, a Redbird or Golden Eagle, but it will also demonstrate that you’re a Lion for life.
