Bennetta Cannon Horne

The strategic plan for Xavier University of Louisiana is centered around its identity as the only Black, Catholic institution among American colleges and universities. The plan focuses on sustaining academic rigor, promoting an inclusive learning community, and honoring African American traditions and Catholic values. Key goals include ensuring student success, empowering students for service in a global society, amplifying the university's thought leadership on social justice, strengthening community, fostering employee development, reinvigorating infrastructure, affirming commitment to sustainability, expanding intercultural research, renewing the arts and humanities, and enhancing capacity to contribute to health equity.

The meeting covered various topics including the treasurer's report, showing an ending balance of $23,104.66; the president's report, highlighting initiatives such as the Homecoming Challenge and increasing alumni engagement; updates from the Office of Alumni Relations, including the Alumni Leadership Conference and efforts to increase alumni giving and student engagement; reports from the By-laws Committee and Enrollment Management/Student Affairs Communication Liaison; an endowment announcement for a scholarship fund in memory of Sister Monica Loughlin and a centennial celebration endowment; the University President's report, covering various aspects of campus life, academics, and advocacy; old and new business items; and an awards committee report.

The meeting focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Xavier University and its students, including the shift to online learning and the cancellation of fundraising events. The NAA's goals and objectives for 2019-2020 were reviewed, including strengthening communications between the administration and alumni, creating mentoring opportunities, promoting participation in local alumni chapters and affinity groups, and supporting the university's recruitment and retention goals. The success of the 2020 GLX Day and "Wearexavier" spirit week, which raised over half a million dollars, was also highlighted.

The meeting agenda includes opening remarks, approval of minutes from the September 2023 meeting, university updates, a final election audit report, alumni office updates, officer and committee reports covering various topics such as the BOT in-person meeting, NAA updates, resource and development, the centennial campaign, pre-alumni council, treasurer's report, by-laws, correspondence, awards and recognition, courtesy committee, enrollment management/student affairs, old business, new business including pre-alumni council and chapter reports.