Today’s students, tomorrow’s alumni

What role does alumni play in a university?

Today’s students are the future alumni for the University of Houston-Clear Lake. As they leave the hallowed halls of UHCL, what will they take with them?

Before walking across the stage to receive a diploma, students may look back and be proud to be counted as one of UHCL’s alumni. The intimacy of a small classroom compared to a large auditorium filled with unfamiliar faces could be one experience that makes UHCL a great learning environment. The smaller classes put more emphasis on learning and hands-on experience.

Also, the ability to develop close relationships with professors may be both beneficial and rewarding when entering the professional world. At a larger university, it does not matter how many questions students ask in class, the professor may still not know their names. The student/professor interaction proves to be an invaluable networking asset and is a great way to get a personalized letter of recommendation.

At UHCL the student is more than a number on an ID card, here the student is treated as a person with a face and a name, which brings a greater sense of community. Students do not get lost in the crowd, but are identified as individuals with uniquely designed majors.

These are experiences that prior students have taken with them. Although they are no longer at the university, as alumni they continue to play an important role in the life of UHCL.

Alumni may volunteer their time to provide career insights for students and assist in student recruitment. They represent the university world wide, reaching out to assist present students in their education through student financial assistance in the form of awards and fundraising.

Students may also start meeting alumni who can give them insight into their experiences as professionals, relate their struggles and accomplishments and help guide students in their career aspirations.

The spirit of UHCL continues to live on well after graduation day through the generosity and leadership of its alumni.

After graduation, students are automatically regognized as alumni of the university, however they can begin leaving their imprint at UHCL by becoming involved on campus.

Students create experiences outside of the classroom and practice it through participation in student organizations. Employers look for resumes that show an individual who is well-rounded and dedicated. Involvement in student organizations reveals an array of abilities that would attract employers.

One student organization on campus, Students Alumni Relations Team, allows students to serve as liaisons between alumni, administrators and the student body.

Since current students understand the difficulty of paying for tuition, fees, books, and living expense during the college years, they can appreciate how this struggle continues to be experienced by the next generation of students. By being an active alumna or alumnus, a new generation can obtain the education they deserve through the donations made to the university.

It is about becoming something bigger than one’s self and continuing to maintain a long-standing relationship with an institution that students have dedicated so much effort and time to improve.

Students can have a sense of pride knowing that the legacy of the university will live on through their participation and dedication.