From the Nominator

"The Student Alumni Leadership (SALC) is an ambassador program that connects current students with alumni, provides leadership opportunities, and offers an array of programs that allow students to grow both personally and professionally. 

With the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic, we were excited to have the opportunity to host a week of programming during our annual homecoming week that featured in-person events and programs. Programs included: (1) Brushes and Bubbles, (2) daily spirit stations, and (3) Pins and Pics event. 

To kick off the week, Brushes and Bubbles was a paint night event with bubble tea, featuring an alumna to lead the art class. The daily spirit stations, hosted in collaboration with the student affairs department, featured pop-up stations each day in different areas of campus with giveaways and prizes. Prior to each day, we announced clues on social media to indicate where each spirit station would be located. Finally, Pics and Pins helped promote the M book, as well as our UMD bucket list. The M Book, the alumni association’s guide to the student experience, features the university’s history, events, and traditions. Within the M Book, there is a UMD Bucket List, featuring 20 actions for students to complete on campus prior to graduating. For every five items completed, students receive a commemorative pin to wear at graduation. At the Pics and Pins event, SALC worked to raise awareness of the M book and UMD bucket list, in addition to allowing students to pick up their pins."

From the Judges

Wonderful program to engage alumni and students alike. The SALC is a strong model for student engagement to make them engaged alumni.