Alumni Connections

By: Emily Pendleton, Assistant Director of Operations and Strategic Affairs

Hi! My name is Emily Pendleton, and I am so excited to be the person now leading the SALT Center’s efforts to foster our growing community of proud alumni. In this new role, my vision is to cultivate and develop relationships with our current and future alumni and better connect them to the amazing opportunities available. To understand my true excitement about this new role, I invite you to learn a bit more about me and how my experiences led me to this point.

I remember from early on in my high school career hearing about the SALT Center. It was an answer to my fears and struggles and brought me a new sense of confidence knowing that, with the right resources, I would be able to attend a four-year university like my siblings and actually succeed. I enrolled at the University of Arizona in 1998 and used all the resources the SALT Center had to offer. It completely transformed my life for the better. I graduated in 2002 and am a proud Wildcat for life. If I get a cut, don’t be surprised to see me bleeding red and blue!

In 2017, my career shifted, as I had the chance to come home to the SALT Center to work with students just like me, as a Student Support Specialist! It was a full circle moment and something that I truly loved. Now, fast-forward to this past year, and I am now the proud parent of a stepson enrolled in the SALT Center! My perspectives and insight are unique and fuel my passion to support our current students, recent grads, and alumni, going all the way back to our founding in 1980.

Looking into this next year and beyond, we have a lot of new programming and opportunities to offer. First, I invite you to go to beardownnetwork.com and join the Bear Down Network, a free engagement tool offered through the University of Arizona Alumni Association. Join our private SALT Center group to share stories, learn about events, and connect with other Wildcats from all over the world! The Bear Down Network is not just a way to connect with past Wildcats but also an opportunity to connect with current students who are looking to network with alumni in their career field or with a similar background.

Another forthcoming endeavor is our Mentoring Program which seeks to connect SALT Center alumni with current students who are nearing graduation. These students are looking for guidance and advice from working professionals, as they prepare to embark on their next chapter of life with a learning or attention difference.

Every spring, we also host an event called Life After College. This unforgettable experience is one that students eagerly anticipate each year. Alumni from diverse industries come back to the SALT Center to share their experiences to help students prepare for the job market and hear firsthand what it’s like to navigate the workplace with a learning difference.

Chris Richards/Arizona Alumni Association

As you can tell, there are so many opportunities to get involved with our students. If you find yourself unable to give of your time, you can still make an impact by contributing to SALT Center Scholarships. These scholarships help make the program accessible to more Wildcats with learning and attention challenges so they can have the chance to use the SALT Center’s resources like we did!

Fill out our STAY CONNECTED form at salt.arizona.edu/stayconnected to receive periodic updates on alumni opportunities.