Joining Barnard has been exhilarating. My first week coincided with the amazing Global Symposium, and each week since continues to be filled with the same spirit of community, challenge, inspiration, support, and drive. As I meet alumnae through events and programs on and off campus, the passion that fills your voices as you reflect on your Barnard experiences radiates.
Immediately struck by the feeling of community on campus—something that I believe is unique to women’s colleges—I found myself reminiscing about my own experience as an undergraduate at Simmons College. In my years since, my career in higher-education administration has brought me to a diverse collection of prestigious institutions, resulting in a wide array of experience upon which to draw for the benefit of Barnard.
It’s an exciting time to be an alumni-relations professional. It’s a young and evolving area of expertise. As the challenges facing higher education change, we are challenged to be nimble, innovative, and responsive in how we engage our alumnae in the support of the institution’s health to the benefit of the College.
The work of the many committed alumnae volunteers and the AABC board has been tremendous. From the Young Alumnae Committee to the Professional & Leadership Development Committee to Project Continuum, there is extraordinary effort going into the planning and execution of alumnae programs. As Reunion 2015 approaches, I am excited to see the efforts of so many alumnae and the Alumnae Relations team come to fruition.
Partnering together, we will continue to expand upon the tremendous work being done, honor the rich Barnard history and traditions, and do what we can to help usher the alumnae events, programs, and communications into the next iteration of support for this great institution.
— Caitlin “Cat” Tramel
