Alums Share Their Experiences Serving on the Alumni Engagement Council
Recently, we asked our 2022-2023 AEC members to share their experiences from serving on the council. Continue reading to hear from Cooke Alums Aman Waheed, Carrie Moore, and Jonathan Finnerty.
Created in 2019, the Alumni Engagement Council (AEC) is a group of Alums who meet quarterly to discuss and create opportunities for Alum engagement. Through the AEC, the Alumni Engagement Manager formally gathers input from Alums on how the Foundation can best support Alums to engage with and influence the Cooke Scholar and Alum community to realize the Foundation’s mission.
The AEC consists of 15-20 Alums in total, representing the diverse strengths, programs, professional experiences, and geographic distribution that empower our Cooke Scholar and Alum community. AEC members typically serve for two years, and meet quarterly via virtual meetings.
Cooke Alums join the AEC to share their voice with the Foundation, to connect with fellow Alums, and to give back to the community. Carrie Moore, a 2001 Young Scholar, 2006 College Scholar, and 2011 Graduate Scholar shared that joining the AEC just felt right for her.
“I would say that through the AEC, I enjoy simply being involved with the Foundation in a tangible way,” said Carrie. “I was the recipient of three different JKCF scholarships, so when you add it all up, ten years of my life was spent as an active Scholar. During that time, I gained so much more than financial support from the organization. It was a huge part of my life, and to just stop being involved now that I am an Alumna would seem... wrong!
While serving on the AEC, members are able to focus on key project areas that best align with their passions and interest, and work within small groups to further actualize their ideas. Some specific projects our Alums have led are: the Career Perspectives in Finance Virtual Panel, Alum Wisdom Workshops at Scholars Weekend, a Cookie Recipe Book, an Entrepreneurship Panel, and an article around Cooke Scholars and Alums working in clean energies.
As Cooke Alum Jonathan Finnerty, a 2015 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar and a 2017 Graduate Scholar shares, “Serving on the AEC is undoubtedly the best way to continue the mission of the Foundation. During my time on the AEC, I was granted the unique privilege of seeing firsthand the synthesis of ideas and actions that bring direct programming and initiatives to the diverse Alumni population. All Scholars experience the seamless magic that emanates from Foundation events, correspondence, and projects--what most Scholars don't realize, however, is that much of this is largely due to the work that dedicated Alumni and Foundation Staff commit to achieving this sense of community.”
Aman Waheed, a 2017 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, spoke to his experience consolidating his fitness knowledge into a written piece, “I loved writing my own blog on fitness and sharing those personal details with the Cooke community. These projects inspire me to keep contributing to this community however possible.”
When asked about advice for future AEC members, our Alums shared the following guidance. Aman spoke directly to participation, “My advice is straightforward: Be ready to engage with the community and be ready to have a good time. The people on AEC make the experience that much more special. The meetings turn to creative discussions about improving the Scholar experience, and a space to catch up with the talented AEC members.”
Jonathan encourages all Alums to share their voices, “There will always be a need, however, for new ideas and refreshing concepts. This is where the new AEC member can find their place, bridging the gap between Foundation commitments and desires of a growing Alumni community. No matter the strength one offers, it can be put to use on the AEC; from those that are planners and thinkers to those that prefer direct leadership, there is a place for your virtues to serve the Alumni community.”
We are immensely grateful for our AEC members, both past, current, and future, who dedicate their time in this way!
If you are interested in joining the AEC, you can apply here. The application closes Friday, August 11, 2023.
AEC Member and Cooke Alum Aman Waheed (far left) with fellow Cooke Alums
Cooke Alum Jonathan Finnerty (center) and his Scholars Weekend Cooke Conundrum teammates
Carrie Moore (left) with fellow Cooke Scholars at Scholars Weekend 2018