The NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network has made tremendous strides in providing programming for a more diverse audience. Historically, this group has had some difficulty reaching the full spectrum of the LGBTQ community, attributable to their tendency to host an excess of social happy hours and other events focused around alcohol. In FY 2017, nine of 17 events, and in FY 2018, 11 of 18 events were happy hours or socials.
From the Judges
As alumni associations work to connect with constituents – particularly those from underrepresented communities – they must better understand what is most important to those groups. Happy hours and other social events have its place, but it doesn’t allow for our work to weave its way into the lives of alumni. Moving Beyond the Social is a response to a) recognized diminishing returns on social events and b) an appetite for the alumni association to provide experiences and service that NYU graduates want and need.
