Keeping Alumni Connections Alive

Dr. Maria Gallo (SMC 9T8) knows first-hand the value engaged alumni can bring to a university. Recently appointed a visiting research fellow at the Trinity Business School—Trinity College Dublin and the founder of KITE (Keep in Touch Education), an organization focused on building alumni connections, much of her career has been centred on the values of alumni relationships, philanthropy and volunteering.

Now, she is returning to her roots and sharing that expertise with her alma mater. Gallo is the new interim president and chair of St. Michael’s alumni board, and she is excited to pitch in, knowing how much St. Mike’s cares about alumni—and how much alumni care about St. Mike’s.

“I grew up listening to the stories my dad (Victor Gallo SMC 6T6) told about St. Mike’s. When he talked about his leadership experiences and opportunities that popped up for him, it instilled in me examples of what I could do at St. Mike’s. There was no question of where I would go.”

Gallo’s upbeat nature prompts her to note that the inescapable shift in communications and connections created by COVID has meant an opening up of opportunities for alumni around the world, referring to it as a “democratizing effect.”

“We are rethinking how St. Mike’s alumni can get involved in the university,” says Gallo, who lives in Donegal, Ireland but plans to attend the alumni reunion in May 2022.

For Gallo, whose new book, The Alumni Way: Building Lifelong Value from Your University Investment, was published earlier this year, the importance of encouraging alumni stems from personal experience. Shortly after she graduated, she was approached to be chair of the St. Mike’s orientation committee in 2000.

“I got sought out,” she says, remembering the great feeling of knowing she was valued as an alumna, her talents appreciated. “The University and alumni board can seek out graduates of different faiths, grads who were commuter students, grads with all sorts of campus experiences to really build on an alumni community that reflects the variety of experiences St. Mike’s students have—and especially support underrepresented student and alumni cohorts.”

This is important, she notes, because St. Mike’s alumni are key players in embodying the mission and vision of the University once they are out in the world.

“Alums aren’t just stakeholders but also shareholders. We are representatives and a connection to place,” says Gallo, who has also worked in alumni relations and advancement at the University of Toronto and University College Dublin.

This means thinking long and hard about what alumni seek from their alma mater, as well as what they can offer as a mutually beneficial proposition.

For alumni who are parents of young children, she notes that a draw might be the annual Santa Claus Parade party, a chance to meet with other young parents. Although it will not be happening this year because parade plans have been impacted by COVID, it’s a great event for families.

Young alumni seeking their first job might look to the University for connections and mentors.

Those with time to share might be looking for volunteer opportunities. And, of course, our newfound reliance on virtual communications has created new opportunities for online events so that alumni around the world aren’t missing out on the great things that happen on campus.

“It’s about meeting alumni where they are,” she says.

In terms of what alumni can offer, Gallo returns to the new opportunities created by a world now more connected because of COVID.

“Is there a way to get involved peripherally?” she asks, suggesting, for example, that alumni who are involved with research or who have a particular expertise might do video snippets that could be used everywhere from classes to clubs, all in an unobtrusive way. “It’s important to give people connections to place and people.”

She urges her fellow alumni to examine St. Mike’s 180, the University’s strategic plan, to see in what ways they might be able to help, whether it’s in Campus Ministry or serving as a mentor.

It’s good, she says, to ensure that all can find a way to get involved.

Through her work with KITE, a social enterprise to support philanthropy, research and alumni education, Gallo has become keenly aware of what she labels the four Ts of alumni life: time, talent, treasure and ties. Some may be able to volunteer their time—and their talent—to the university. Some will offer their treasure by donating, whether it’s books to the Kelly Library’s annual book sale or to the Annual Fund Campaign.

Alumni can also call upon their existing networks—in ways as simple as encouraging fellow alumni perhaps less engaged or disengaged with St. Mike’s to share their stories with our students and our alumni. The sharing of positive memories becomes a powerful motivator for future students, she notes.

As the newest member of the alumni board, Gallo is going to take the next few months to take stock of St. Mike’s alumni life and figure out where and how she can help.

She does know, though, two immediate places that catch her interest. While many in our community are aware that St. Mike’s alumni include politicians, CEOs, famous artists and authors, Gallo says it’s important that every alumni member feels valued.

“Let’s celebrate the extraordinary ordinary,” she says.

The other topic to catch her attention is the place of students in alumni affairs. The Alumni Board’s “connection with students should start the day students first set foot on campus. Students become alumni the day they set foot in their first class”.