Student Alumni Association Recognized as Outstanding Emerging Organization

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Members of the University of Arkansas Student Alumni Association at a national convention of affiliated student programs, with Don Eldred, left, president of the National Board, and Brandy Cox, executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association.

After a year of successful events, record growth, and campuswide recognition, the Student Alumni Association of the Arkansas Alumni Association has been recognized as the Outstanding Emerging Organization during the National CASE ASAP Network Convention.

Hosted on Aug. 4-6 in Atlanta, this conference was attended by members of the Student Alumni Board along with their adviser, Ryan Miller, associate director of student and young alumni outreach. The Student Alumni Association was also honored to be the only organization supported by its alumni association's executive director, Brandy Cox, as well as its National Board president, Don Eldred. To their knowledge, this is the first time that a group has been supported by senior level administrators and alumni volunteers on the national level.

"I am excited for our students. This truly shows how much effort they have put in over the past two years as SAA has worked to redefine itself and create a niche on campus of building networks and sustaining traditions, " Miller said. "I am also grateful to have the support of the leadership of the Arkansas Alumni Association. Student advancement efforts are growing nationally, and I believe through their guidance Arkansas can truly become a leader in this emerging field."

Cox said the Student Alumni Association supports the University of Arkansas today through events, philanthropy and leadership opportunities.

"It is also engaging the alumni of tomorrow through traditions and a lifelong connection to our alma mater. This national recognition reflects the hard work of our students and the pride we all have in our University," Cox said.

Regan Burgess, director of recruitment for the Student Alumni Board, said it was an amazing experience to represent the Student Alumni Association at the conference.

"When we won Outstanding Emerging Student Organization, both my team and I were immensely proud for being recognized for our outstanding work for the past year," she said.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education began facilitating the Affiliated Student Advancement Program in 1992. The organization has since established itself as the primary network for student alumni associations, student foundations, and other such organizations across the country with the intent to foster and enhance student involvement in all areas of advancement—from alumni relations and communications to fundraising, marketing and related areas.

One of the main ways that the Affiliated Student Advancement Program seeks to achieve this goal is through its conferences, at both the district and national levels. Earlier this year, board members of the Student Alumni Association represented the University of Arkansas at the CASE ASAP District III Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Returning to the district conference for the first time in over eight years, the association received Outstanding Emerging Organization and advisor Ryan Miller received the honor of Outstanding Advisor.

During the national conference, the Student Alumni Association gave a presentation on student alumni programming. "From 300 to 3,000: How We Grew Membership in Two Years" featured Student Alumni Board presenters Nikki Anderson and Regan Burgess. The presentation described how the student association went from being a floundering campus club to the largest organization at the university, restructuring to be more in line with core values to meet the needs of its members. The association grew membership and raised awareness on campus by building cross-campus collaborations and sustainable programming including Homecoming, senior awards and alumni-engagement events.

"It was such a surreal experience to give our presentation at a national convention, and I was glad that I was able to represent the university. We received so much great feedback, and it made all of our hard work and dedication worth it," Burgess said.

Miller also participated in the conference as a panelist on Careers in Advancement Panel Discussion. The discussion featured CASE volunteers sharing insight on ways to build a rewarding career in higher educational advancement.

Members of the Student Alumni Board are exited to start a new year off right, and have already hit the ground running by attending over 14 Welcome Week events and supporting campus partners within the Division of Student Affairs. Membership has continued to grow, and is already 1,000 members ahead of levels at this point last year. Additionally, 1 in 5 members of the Class of 2020 already joined the Association before the first week of classes were event completed. SAB members are excited for their plan in the coming year as they serve the student body and the organization continues to grow. 

About the Student Alumni Association: From business majors to band members, Greek to grad students, the Student Alumni Association is involved across campus – making it the biggest organization on the University of Arkansas campus. Members of the Student Alumni Association receive more than 80 perks, including 5 percent off textbooks and 10 percent off school supplies at the U of A Bookstore. Members can network with alumni through mentoring programs such as Hearing from a Hog and also have the opportunity to pick up official BEAT shirts before every home football game. The student organization also hosts many events, including Homecoming and the Senior Walk dedication, to further educate students on the goal of maintaining tradition. The board, along with the association, also organizes the Senior Awards recognition programming that include the Seniors of Significance, Razorback Classics and the Senior Honor Citation – the top student award on campus.

Any student can become a member of the Student Alumni Association. Annual student memberships are $20. For more information or to become a member of the largest student organization on campus, stop by the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House at 491 N. Razorback Road or visit arkansasalumni.org/students.