New Gateway Alumni Network will engage, connect former students
More than 50 enthusiastic alums already have joined Gateway Community College’s first-ever Alumni Network. The Network’s Advisory Board is planning some exciting events, including a get-together for current and prospective members on Wednesday, June 21, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Tuscany Fire Kitchen at EleMar New England Marble & Granite, 99 Shelton Ave., New Haven.
Gateway Alumni Network Advisory Board members include current Gateway employees:
o Julie Austin, Class of 1994, Interim Allied Health Department Chair; Radiography Program Coordinator
o Sam Osei, Class of 2006, Professor of Nursing, and a 2009 Gateway Foundation Hall of Fame inductee
o Belinda Petrovic, Class of 2011, Academic Associate and Science Lab Coordinator
o Christina Scillia-Rivera, Class of 2000, Secretary to CT State Chief of Staff and Director of Communications & Strategic Marketing AnnMarie Harrison
o Angie Simon, Class of 2019, IT Department Technician
o Elizabeth “Liz” Vega, Class of 2000, Associate Director of Admissions
Other Advisory Board members are:
Rick Callahan, Class of 2004, CEO and Founder of Krative, a New Haven-based marketing firm, and a 2022 Gateway Community College Foundation Hall of Fame honoree
Joseph D. Thomas, Class of 1985, Owner, JT Consulting Services, LLC; 2012 Gateway Foundation Hall of Fame honoree, and newly elected Foundation Board member
The advisors will define membership. Watch for membership perks; they’re going to be exciting and may include free weekend parking in the Temple Street Garage, borrowing privileges from Gateway’s Library and Learning Commons, and free or discounted tickets to college- and Gateway Foundation-sponsored events.
“We don’t just take pride in graduating from Gateway,” said Alumni Network Advisory Board member Sam Osei. “We give back by supporting current students however we can. No one understands their journey better than someone who has been on that same journey.”
“Alumni associations build a sense of community,” noted fellow Advisory Board member Christina Scillia-Rivera. “They foster career growth advice between recent and experienced grads. And, as alumni, we play an important role in shaping our school’s identity and reputation.”
According to the American Alumni Association, there are more than 5,200 such groups in the United States. While most are at four-year institutions, the number is growing among community colleges.
Alumni associations typically are known for financially supporting their alma maters. They also play a vital role in mentoring and engaging current students. Membership provides opportunities to network with peers and experts, provides links to job markets, and cements connections with former classmates and old friends.
Did you attend Gateway Community College, Greater New Haven State Technical College, or South Central Community College? Learn more about Gateway Alumni Network membership and benefits or register for the June 21 Gateway Alumni Meet and Greet. Victoria Dancy, Development Associate and Scholarship Administrator, is the woman with all the answers! You can reach her via email, vdancy@gwcc.commnet.edu or call her at (203) 285-2558