A Message from Ashok Sani, Chair of NYU Stern Alumni Advisory Council
Dear Fellow Alumnus/a:
I am delighted to welcome the Class of 2003 into the Stern alumni community. With over 60,000 professionals worldwide, you are entering a strong and vibrant global network. In my role as Chair of the Alumni Council, it has been exciting to witness the development of a number of successful new programs designed to strengthen our community.
A number of significant achievements have taken place over the past year. Responding to the challenges of the current job market, the Council has formed a new Career Development Task Force to assist alumni involved in a job search or career transition. The Office of Alumni Affairs, in conjunction with the Career Development Task Force, launched the Career Resource Seminar Series this spring. The Series has succeeded in providing hundreds of alumni with practical information on topics such as networking, interviewing skills and developing a personal marketing plan. Topics for future seminars are in development, and we look forward to continuing this successful program this fall.
In addition, the Council's Networking Task Force has been working to create additional, industry-focused networking programs in areas including entertainment, media and technology, investment management and entrepreneurship. The Regional Development Task Force has been reaching out to regional groups, building their connections to the School and promoting the worldwide alumni network. The Recent Graduate Task Force formed a new Undergraduate Committee, which has organized a number of successful events and conducted significant outreach to this important segment of our population.
Community-wide events such as Firenze 2002: The Second Global Alumni Conference in Florence, Italy, and the Second Annual Stern Alumni Ball have drawn alumni from around the world to celebrate the Stern community.
And, among the most important developments, the SWAP software has undergone a major upgrade. With the new Community area, regional web pages, mail groups, class notes, additional online career resources and more, increasing numbers of alumni are getting connected through SWAP, the password protected, online community of Stern alumni.
Being a part of the Alumni Council has been a wonderful experience. And, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Council and Task Force members with whom I have worked over the past two years. These individuals, who give so freely of their time and expertise, have shown tremendous dedication to building and strengthening the Stern alumni network. Their continuing efforts are to be commended.
I am pleased to announce that Susan Jurevics, MBA '96 and Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Sony Corporation of America, will assume leadership of the Alumni Council in the year ahead. As a member of the Council for the past two years, Susan has worked tirelessly to promote the Council goals of strengthening relationships and building an inclusive community among alumni, students and the School. I have no doubt that under her leadership our community will become even stronger.
The success thus far is due in large measure to the assistance and support of the Office of Alumni Affairs. By fostering involvement through Council and Task Force initiatives and creating new and exciting programs, Alumni Affairs has engaged a broad base of alumni in the life of the School. Based on the plans for the new year, those numbers will surely continue to increase. I applaud their energy and dedication.
Already, there are a number of exciting programs on the horizon. Another NYU Stern Global Alumni Conference will be held in London, England, on September 13, 2003, bringing together a distinguished panel of speakers at The British Museum. Also, mark your calendar for the Third Annual Alumni Ball on December 6, 2003. Be sure to check the Alumni Affairs website for details on these events and many more opportunities to stay involved.
As always, the strength of our network depends directly on your commitment to be involved. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to log on to SWAP and get connected. If you are interested in volunteering or speaking with someone about ways to get involved, please contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at alumni@stern.nyu.edu or call (212) 998-4040.
Regards,
Ashok Sani, BS '74
Chair
NYU Stern Alumni Council
