This weekend, Notre Dame students and graduates will interact and network at the Alumni Association Leadership Conference, held Thursday through Saturday.
Featured speakers include Carolyn Woo, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services and former dean of the Mendoza College of Business, and Gerry Faust, former Notre Dame football coach (1981-1985).
Stephanie Mola, special event program director for the Alumni Association, said the conference gives Notre Dame graduates who acted as leaders in their classes, clubs or groups the opportunity to come back to campus for three days to and networking.
"We were very fortunate this year in acquiring extremely dynamic speakers to address the group," Mola said.
University President Fr. John Jenkins, Executive Vice President John Affleck-Graves, Vice President Lou Nanni, Irish coach Brian Kelly and Senior Associate Athletic Director John Heisler will address the conference participants, she said.
Elle Metz, Young Alumni Programs Manager for the Alumni Association, said students will have the opportunity to interact directly with alumni during the conference.
"The student-alumni social on Thursday night is an excellent opportunity for students to meet alumni from around the country," Metz said. "In particular, they can interact and network with alumni from their current hometown or their future city of residence."
She said the atmosphere will be casual and conducive to mingling among members from all different sides of the Notre Dame community.
In addition, Metz said the conference will host a student panel to help attendees get an inside look at the experiences of four different students at Notre Dame.
"At the student-alumni social, students and alumni can connect over many different subjects, ranging from a suggestion for a parish in a new city to a job contact," Metz said.
The conference, open to all students and alumni, can also help students get advice from those who have travelled the same path before them, she said.
"This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn what Notre Dame graduates are doing out in the world and to gather advice on their own life paths," Metz said.
Metz encouraged students interested in getting involved with their local Notre Dame club to visit myNotreDame.nd.edu/clublocator to find one near their city.
"Once they join the club, there are multiple opportunities to get involved," Metz said. "For example, they can attend club events like game watches and service projects."
Joining a Notre Dame club could also provide a job opportunity in the future, Metz said, as graduates are able to serve as Young Alumni Coordinators who help plan club programs.
Metz said the University encourages all members of the Notre Dame family, even parents and friends, to get involved with their local Notre Dame club.
Contact Meg Handelman at mhandelm@nd.edu
