Students at Longwood are often looking for an organization to get involved with or for a way to network while still going to school. Longwood is the stepping stone for students to gain experience and connections once they graduate.
While the students are still in school they have to be able to make connections outside of the university. There are many opportunitiesavailableto students, one of them being the Student Alumni Association.
The Student Alumni Association is an organization on campus that any sophomore, junior or senior with a GPA of 2.5 or higher may join. This association was founded with the hope to “build awareness of the Longwood Alumni Association by introducing it to the students before they graduate,” according to senior Business Major Casey Doerfler, an intern in the Longwood Alumni Relations office.
Doerfler is in charge of developing and expanding the Student Alumni Association (SAA) for this semester. The goals of the SAA are “to direct and assist with the goals of the Longwood University Alumni Association by introducing students to the Alumni Association before they graduate. To promote the interests of and understanding between the students of the past, present and future at Longwood through the programs and services offered by the organization. To develop effective and responsible leadership through contact and experience in college projects and programs, thereby enhancing the education of students and preparing them to serve as future alumni leaders,” Doerfler stated.
The SAA falls under the Alumni Relations office. Administrative Assistant for Alumni Relations Amy Harris is in charge of the SAA and has the help of interns, such as Doerfler.
Doerfler thinks that the SAA is a very useful association to be a part of. She said, “Students benefit by having many networking opportunities. While working at alumni events, we meet many alumni, and this is great for networking and meeting new people. Students also get to have a say in what events we plan and when we plan them.” Students have the opportunity to meet alumni at events and will leave Longwood with a better arsenal of networking skills as well as a number of connections.
Members of the SAA will meet once a month to plan a series of events for seniors, “plus special events for December and May graduates,” said Doerfler. Members of the SAA will also be able to represent other students at alumni events and reunions, as well as other University Advancement events.
Doerfler added, “Members advise Alumni Relations staff on ways to increase students’ awareness of the Alumni Association and ways the Alumni Association can support students.”
Joining the SAA can help students learn how to network and how to better be prepared to speak to alumni and possibly find a job with those newfound connections.
Students who wish to join the SAA can pick up applications in Lancaster 120 or email longwoodsaa@outlook.com to receive one. Students can then return applications via email or back to Lancaster 120.
