Eagle Connections: Strengthening relationships between alumni and students

By Allyson Michael

Remember your first year at college? Like many, you probably had a mix of emotions: excitement, happiness, and anxiety. Now imagine if you could have talked to an alum who had a similar experience. At Emory, we’re bringing that to life through the recently reimagined Eagle Connections.

The program provides a personalized opportunity for alumni to interact with and support new Emory College students. At the beginning of students’ time at Emory, they can connect online with alumni through Emory Essentials. The required first-semester course introduces students to resources that help them succeed personally, socially, academically, and professionally.

In 2023, 725 students and alumni participated in Eagle Connections, exchanging more than 1,000 messages.

The power of personal connections

Eagle Connections lays the foundation for student-alumni relationships and supports new student enrollment and retention. Students learn to use the Emory Connects platform to build their Emory community, specifically with alumni. They also gain essential skills such as communication, which help them further develop their networks and prepare them for life after graduation.

“Eagle Connections made it easy to communicate with alumni. It was cool to learn about Emory alumni and career paths in my major.”

—Alec Yildirim

Oxford College of Emory University Class of 2023

A new way for alumni to volunteer

While supporting students has long been a priority at Emory, Eagle Connections renews our commitment to student success. In the program’s previous iteration, the Alumni Interview Program, alumni talked to and evaluated applicants from around the world. The Office of Undergraduate Admission used their feedback as a tool in the decision process. Recognizing that the interview model could create roadblocks for some students, Emory shifted the approach to connect first-year students with alumni while highlighting the university's welcoming and supportive community.

“I leave these conversations with new students proud of being an Emory alum and energized; I feel great about the future.”

—Bonnie Lowery

Emory College Class of 2000, Emory School of Medicine Class of 2006

For alumni, Eagle Connections is a chance to give back to their alma mater and help guide the next class of Emory students through an exciting time in their lives. One such alum is Dr. Bonnie Lowery, who graduated from Emory College and School of Medicine. For her, mentoring is part of what makes the Emory experience special. Through mentorships in medical school, Lowery found her passion for ophthalmology. Today, she’s an assistant professor at Emory School of Medicine and practices at the VA Medical Center.

Lowery says her own experiences as a mentee drive her to mentor students, and she sees the opportunity as rare in higher education. “Emory’s devotion to mentorship sets it apart from other schools.”

As Lowery’s daughter is set to start classes at Emory College this fall, the strength of student-alumni connections hits close to home. When asked what advice she will give to her daughter, Lowery says, “Emory offers many programs like study abroad, volunteering opportunities, the new pathways center, and more. Be sure to take advantage of them.”?

She also has advice for alumni who are interested in volunteering to support students. “These programs are an opportunity to share your Emory experience. I leave these conversations with new students proud of being an Emory alum and energized; I feel great about the future.”?

We’re recruiting alumni volunteers for the fall. If you’re interested in helping students in the Emory College Class of 2028 build their network and feel welcomed to the Emory community, sign up or email [email protected]. Registration ends on October 31.

About Emory Alumni Association

Emory alumni are educators who are teaching a new generation of thinkers, entrepreneurs who are helping our economy through business development, healthcare workers who are serving patients every day, leaders who are questioning the status quo, and researchers who are making groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

The Emory Alumni Association connects alumni to their alma mater and each other through beloved traditions, networking events, and leadership opportunities. We serve the diverse needs and interests of our community and invest in Emory’s future. For more information on the Emory Alumni Association, visit https://together.emory.edu/alumni.