Richard Plumb

The Alumni Board of Directors meeting included a presentation on the state of the college, covering challenges such as the higher education landscape, demographic shifts, and student attendance patterns. Strategic priorities discussed were student experience, operational and employee well-being, and financial stability. The Interim VP of Enrollment presented on updated Admissions messaging and enrollment initiatives, including the St. Mike's way messaging, flagship match, and VT Community Commitment. Committee charters were approved, with initial reports from Admissions, Athletics, Career Connections, Student Success, Reunion and awards, and Events and fundraising committees.

The meeting included a welcome to new board members and a reminder of parliamentary procedures. The board approved the minutes from April 8, 2025, and the establishment of a committee structure. There was a discussion on six proposed committees, including Admissions, Athletics, Career Connections, Student Success, Reunion & Awards, and Events & Fundraising. Updates were shared on enrollment, rightsizing, sector-wide challenges, and ongoing investments at St. Mike's. A more detailed Admissions update will be shared at the September meeting.

The strategic plan for Boucher Career Education Center focuses on enhancing the student experience and exposure to career development. The vision is for students to engage in an impactful environment that builds career readiness and a foundation to self-discover, transfer learning to application, and succeed when opportunity arises. The mission involves collaborating with students to understand their values and preferences, engaging in high-impact experiences, applying classroom learning to their careers, building career readiness, and connecting to campus and community resources, ultimately developing resilience and flexibility in students to respond to a dynamic employment landscape. Key strategies include strengthening partnerships, increasing alumni and employer engagement, promoting diversity and inclusion, and assisting students with articulating career competencies.

The Alumni Board of Directors meeting included welcoming new members and approving updated bylaws with changes to the Board membership process and notification provisions. Discussions covered being mindful of East Coast bias when booking meetings, revising the Alumni of the Year award voting process, opening ABOD meetings to all alumni, and updating the ABOD quick guide for member roles and responsibilities. The board also discussed the college's financial update, student experience, enrollment, and a career symposium, including potential event enhancements and a proposed schedule.

The meeting covered feedback and recommendations from the Career Connection Event, including what worked well and thoughts for the next year, such as scheduling, space, incentives, employer engagement, marketing, networking, and logistics. An update on the State of the College was provided, noting that applications are down but deposits are up for the Fall 2025 class. Upcoming joint Alumni/Admissions events were discussed, and there was a review of nominated alumni for Alumni of the Year for Reunion 2025. Other topics included young alumni outreach and potential ways to participate, as well as discussion regarding a new board member vote and confirming existing ABOD member leadership role nominations. The list of all past ABOD members will be shared, and IA will keep a running list of nominated or alumni who applied.