Alumni Ambassador Program Keeps 'Family' Connected

At the end of every fall orientation for Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program, George Nejmeh shares a few words with the new class of students.  

Nejmeh, who is a program facilitator and has been a part of MSIT for more than 25 years, finishes his remarks by welcoming the students to "The MSIT Family." 

A new alumni ambassador program launched by MSIT, in partnership with the Office of Professional Education, is designed to keep that family connected. 

"The MSIT community is one of the program's great assets," MSIT associate director Stephen Dowling said. "A program like Alumni Ambassadors ensures that 'the family' stays in touch, even as it grows larger and further apart." 

The alumni ambassador program provides structured opportunities for MSIT graduates to remain connected with the program, including giving alumni the chance to: 

• Connect with prospective students to talk about their experience in MSIT 
• Present their career story to current students 
• Facilitate job or internship opportunities  
• Organize a tour of their company to MSIT students 

MSIT also hosts networking events throughout the year, and alumni ambassadors are invited to attend as a way to interact with current and prospective students. Recently, the program hosted two of these events: one in Evanston a few blocks from the Northwestern University campus, and one in downtown Chicago. 

Michelle Mittelman, assistant director for alumni and industry engagement, said having prospective students be able to talk directly with alumni and learn from them helps show how the program prepares students to be IT leaders.  

"When the prospective students see the alumni having fun, it brings such great energy to an event," Mittelman said. "Then the prospects are energized as well." 

Dowling agreed. 

"There’s certainly a networking element at play at all Alumni Ambassadors events," he said, "but there’s also the benefit of hearing two things straight from the source: What challenges and opportunities are new, exciting, and happening right now in IT, and how the MSIT experience helped our alumni respond to those challenges and opportunities."  

MSIT alumni are also invited to sit in on classes as a way to stay current on the IT landscape.  

No matter what option they choose, having alumni remain engaged with the program is a positive for all involved, Dowling said.  

"People are the most critical part of learning, from instructors to fellow students, to teaching assistants and program staff," he added. "Even though they're not officially in the classroom anymore, our alumni are a critical part of this tapestry. Their post-graduation perspective is always welcomed and serves as an important source of inspiration and information for current students."