Around the world in 21 chapters and regions

When MBA grad Vinu Srinivasan moved to Boston, he found it friendly enough but without any personal contacts in the area, he knew it would take extra effort to establish a personal and professional network.

Concordia alumni gathered for the Boston/New England Chapter's third annual Deli Night on October 14, 2010. | Photo courtesy of Alumni Relations

So he contacted the Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) office and learned that the Concordia University Alumni Association (CUAA) was launching a chapter in Boston. He’s been involved in it ever since, and has seen first-hand the benefits of being part of it.

“Whether you find yourself living in New York, Boston, London or Vancouver, you can tap into a network of Concordia alumni. It’s a great way to meet new people and to make enduring, professional contacts,” says Srinivasan, now the Boston/New England chapter president.

“I see new people at every event we run. All of them understand the value of an alumni network, but they didn’t realize that Concordia’s is as robust and active as it is.”

Srinivasan is one of about 70 volunteers in Concordia’s network of 21 alumni groups around the globe. Supported by the CUAA and the AAR, those volunteers organize events in their area to foster fellowship among grads, provide networking forums, and encourage alumni to think of themselves as ambassadors of the university.

Brian Lewis (back row, centre-left, with glasses), Paula Wood-Adams (back row, next to Lewis), and chapter president Chen Zhang (front row, left, with blue shirt) with Concordia alumni in Beijing, November 2010. | Photo courtesy of Alumni Relations

From Washington, DC to Dubai, from Toronto to Hong Kong, Concordia’s alumni communities are getting together for low-key pub nights, posh dinners, wine-tasting expeditions, family days, theatre nights and guest-speaker events — some featuring high-profile Concordia grads — among other activities.

“Events are a means to something more important — they’re an effective way to bring alumni together to network,” says Lina Uberti, who joined AAR four years ago to handle the geographic portfolio.

At the time, there were half a dozen chapters that together put on about 14 events a year. Over the past year, the 21 chapters and regions — five of which have launched since last summer — have staged 50 events. With more than 25,000 alumni living outside Quebec, that network can easily continue to expand.

To find out more, contact geographic alumni officer Lina Uberti at luberti@algol.concordia.ca.

Related links:
•    Alumni Relations geographic chapters and regions
•    All alumni events