August 1, 2024
As we embark on a new year, I am filled with immense pride and excitement for the journey that lies ahead for our incredible community. Our association continues to grow and evolve, fueled by the energy and dedication of our volunteers and participants. The start of a new year brings the hope of building something great. By embracing new beginnings and dreaming big, we pave the way for a future filled with promise and potential.
Welcoming New Board Members
First and foremost, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to the new members of our board. This year, we are honored to have a board that exemplifies the passion for lifelong learning and dedication to education. Nearly half of our board members are deeply involved in education, serving either as educators or leading educational institutions, including at the Harvard Extension School, showcasing our unwavering commitment to nurturing future generations.
Additionally, two of our members are pursuing advanced degrees within Harvard, and a third is working towards a second PhD, underscoring the relentless pursuit of knowledge that is integral to our identity. This accomplished group brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will undoubtedly propel our association to new heights.
For the first time in our history, we have three board members from outside the United States, a testament to the global reach and impact of the Harvard Extension School. This diverse board, representing various backgrounds, careers, and locations, enriches our association with unique perspectives and innovative ideas.
Goals and Vision for the Year
As we look forward to the coming year, we have outlined several key goals and initiatives that will drive our efforts and define our success. These goals represent some of the most exciting priorities we want to share with our alumni community, reflecting our commitment to continuous growth and innovation.
Goal 1: Enhancing Alumni Engagement
Our vision is to develop a comprehensive roadmap that empowers our chapters to serve their local communities effectively. By understanding local needs, challenges, and opportunities, we can ideate and execute engagement activities that foster leadership and volunteerism. Additionally, to support our ever-evolving global community, we will expand the number of chapters outside the United States, serving our enthusiastic alumni all over the world.
Goal 2: Expanding Volunteer Opportunities
Our aim is to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for alumni to volunteer. We want to ensure that all alumni are aware of the various opportunities available and make it easier for anyone who wishes to get involved. By offering multiple avenues for participation, not only do we enhance our impact but also showcase the exceptional quality of individuals who graduate from HES. Volunteering is at the heart of who we are and what we do, exemplifying the strength and dedication of the alumni network.
Goal 3: Telling Our Story Better
The objective is to celebrate and showcase the remarkable achievements of our alumni by telling their stories better. We aim to proactively highlight the contributions of our members, inspiring and uplifting our entire community through their successes. To achieve this, we will develop a strategic approach to identify and recruit successful alumni, actively seek out their stories, and create diverse channels to share their experiences and achievements. By sharing their stories, we are also telling our own story of relentless pursuit of excellence and showcasing how the alumni of the Extension School continually move themselves forward.
Exciting New Initiatives
This year, we are thrilled to introduce new engagement initiatives that support our goals, bringing us closer together and celebrating our passion for learning. Two initiatives that I am particularly excited about are:
- Back to the Classroom Initiative: This initiative aims to provide an immersive learning and engagement experience for alumni by bringing them back to interact with esteemed Harvard Extension School professors, rekindling the Harvard learning experience. It offers enriching opportunities for alumni to reignite their intellectual curiosity, enhance their professional development, and cultivate meaningful connections.
- Learning Together – Artificial Intelligence: This is a unique and groundbreaking learning experiment focused on a dynamic and rapidly evolving field. Designed as a collaborative exploration, this series forms study groups around diverse AI topics, creating an environment where participants learn from each other and collectively advance their understanding.
In addition to these exciting new initiatives, we will revisit our very successful annual gatherings, alumni fireside chats, professional networking opportunities, mentorship programs, special interest groups, and teach backs, among other engaging activities. Furthermore, we will continue to collaborate with various departments within the Division of Continuing Education and with Harvard Alumni Association groups to provide alumni with a wide range of tools, resources, and opportunities to support their ongoing growth and development.
This will be a very exciting year. Together, we will build a brighter future for the Harvard Extension Alumni Association, leaving a lasting impact on our local and global communities. I hope you join us in participating, volunteering, reach out to share your ideas, and let us know how the association can serve you better.
With great excitement for the year ahead,
Ariel Gamiño Miranda
President, Harvard Extension Alumni Association
