Graduation doesn't mean you've left Johns Hopkins behind—it's a relationship that lasts forever. "There are very few things that you have a lifelong connection to, and your university is one of them," says Jason Heiserman, director of Alumni Relations and Strategic Initiatives.
Image credit: illustration by John S. Dykes
Yet, it can sometimes be hard to stay involved. Maybe you have a demanding job, or care for a young child or a parent. Perhaps you live in another country where there isn't as much alumni activity. Even so, there are still plenty of ways to keep that Hopkins connection alive. "There are so many opportunities to engage," says Susan deMuth, assistant vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association. "There's really something for everyone."
1. Attend Alumni Association events.
Class reunions are always fun: Think crab feasts, concerts, and nostalgia. Events sponsored by regional alumni chapters and affinity groups also provide the chance to network and explore interests with like-minded grads. "You can do anything from watching a lacrosse game together to listening to a lecture from a faculty member who's in town," deMuth says. "It's a great source of community."
2. Volunteer.
Going to the reunion? Join your class committee and reconnect with old friends and colleagues ahead of time. Are you social? Assist an affinity team or alumni group in your area. "We rely on the energy and ideas of our alumni to help drive programs and events," Heiserman says.
3. Be a resource.
The networking platform GoHopOnline.com is one way to connect with students, recent graduates, or Hopkins alums looking to make a change. The best part? You check boxes to indicate how much you're willing to help, whether it's reviewing résumés, answering questions, or offering an internship.
4. Be a JHU social media booster.
More than 600 grads are Hopkins Promoters, or social media ambassadors who share the university's latest news with followers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more. (Bonus: The more you post, the more points you earn toward prizes.) "It's easy to do and you're helping spread the word about Hopkins," Heiserman says.
5. Keep learning.
Continue your education with online courses, lecture series, webinars, and podcasts offered through the Hopkins website. Pursue a passion for literature, art, history, and more through the noncredit Odyssey enrichment program. More adventurous? Explore the world—from Antarctica to Amsterdam—with other grads and faculty via the Alumni Journeys program. Lifelong learning is an endeavor that the university is eager to advance. "This is just the beginning of what the Alumni Association will be doing in this space," deMuth says.
For more information about how to stay involved, visit alumni.jhu.edu.
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