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Ford School Alumni Board Roles and Activities
The Alumni Board is a representative group of alumni of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy that provides volunteer leadership to help support the programs and activities of the School. The mission of the Alumni Board is to promote the Ford School and to increase its visibility. The Board does not engage in the administrative or management affairs of the School.
Primary responsibilities of Board members include:
- Acting as a resource to the School's Graduate Career Services, Alumni Relations and Development, Outreach and Communications, and Student and Academic Services' departments.
- Serving as 'goodwill ambassadors' of the School with alumni, current and prospective students, current and potential employers, and other constituents of the School.
- Actively participating in board meetings and initiatives, including serving on board subcommittees throughout the year.
- Attending board meetings twice a year in Ann Arbor, in the spring and fall. (Travel expenses are the responsibility of board members).
Primary Activities
The Board gains a first-hand understanding of the School's goals, programs, and key issues and shares its wisdom and experience in an advisory capacity.
Student Recruitment
Identify and assist in the implementation of strategies designed to help the Ford School (a) increase the quantity and diversity of the student applicant pool and (b) increase the number of accepted students who enroll at the Ford School.
Examples:
- Be accessible to prospective students
- Be available to prospective students (via phone/email) for informational interviews and advice on jobs/career path
- Participate in Spring Preview Reception
- This event is held on campus the same day as the spring alumni board meeting. It is to give all admitted students a chance to visit the Ford School and meet alumni (board members), students, faculty, and staff.
- Call Top Admitted Students
Student Career Services
Identify opportunities for alumni involvement in career development programming at the Ford School and assist in identifying ways to increase the number and variety of employment and internship opportunities available to Ford School students and graduates.
Examples:
- Be accessible to current students
- Be available to current students (via phone/email) for informational interviews and advice on jobs/career path
- Provide leads on jobs & summer internships
- Create/identify summer internship opportunities for Ford School students
- Forward relevant job openings/summer internships
Alumni Engagement
Increase the level of alumni involvement with the Ford School.
Examples:
- Attend and promote Ford School events and functions
- Including events such as regional alumni receptions, the DC-Washington Trip, alumni reunion weekends
- Promote the Ford School's online community through LinkedIn and other social networking sites
- Serve on a subcommittee to review nominations and select the annual winner of the Neil Staebler Alumni Service Award.
- Be accessible to fellow alumni
- For job/networking and relocation questions
Development
Assist with Ford School efforts to increase the resource level of the school.
Examples:
- Contribute to annual board fundraising goal (traditionally to support a student internship)
- Share perspectives on the value of philanthropic giving to the Ford School
Other Activities
Other projects arise from year-to-year. In the past, board members have attended graduate school fairs on behalf of the Ford School, conducted mock job interviews with current students, participated in career panels, and participated in the alumni fundraising campaign for the School's new building.
The Alumni Board represents the alumni community of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. The Board strives to help increase the visibility of the School, strengthen the alumni network, and assist the School with student recruitment, career services, and alumni relations activities. The Board is comprised of 18 elected members who serve 3-year terms. Every year, six seats come open for election to encourage broad alumni involvement and representation on the Board.
