Five recent graduates have been selected for the inaugural class of the Young Alumni Ambassador Program. All of these ambassadors will be matched with an alumni volunteer leader and an affiliate group of the Penn State Alumni Association, as well as a professional mentor to provide a year-long learning experience across the Penn State network.
The ambassadors were selected for the position after applying and proceeding through a selection process that included multiple interviews with the Alumni Association. This year, the five ambassadors are as follows:
— Caroline Briselli ’17
— Adam Jarvis ’17
— Linda Nguyen ’17
— Kathleen Ritter ’17
— Jaden Rankin-Wahlers ’17
“The Alumni Association is thrilled with our inaugural cohort of Young Alumni Ambassadors—each bringing unique Penn State experiences and alumni interests to the program,” said Paul Clifford, CEO of the Alumni Association. “We are excited to learn from their involvement as each undertakes a tailored and individualized volunteer experience. The ambassadors are helping to shape the Alumni Association’s current and future engagement opportunities, and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds for them and the Alumni Association.”
The five ambassadors will be located across the United States—in Arizona, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and the San Francisco Bay area.
The program will be personalized to each participant as they pursue their interests with the hopes of becoming a lifelong volunteer leader. Whether they want to use their role within the program to spread the good news of Penn State or work to connect young alumni to their alma mater, the program will play to the strengths and interests of each of the ambassadors.
The Young Alumni Ambassador program was developed in part through the generosity of Peter and Ann Tombros, who provided seed funding for the initiative.
“It is our hope that through the Young Alumni Ambassador Program we can find ways to connect with our young alums to ensure that they have a voice in influencing the future direction of Penn State,” Peter Tombros said.
As part of their applications, all of the ambassadors spoke briefly on their interest in the program and why they believe they were a good fit to be part of its inaugural class. Excerpts follow.
Caroline Briselli, 2017
“My appreciation for Penn State’s alumni community and my understanding of its impact have made me very excited to join the Alumni Association and begin a lifetime of giving back to the University, which has given so much to me.”
Adam Jarvis, 2017
“Penn State is amazing and the opportunities and experiences that I received from Penn State shaped me into who I am,” Jarvis said. “Penn State doesn’t just stay in Happy Valley, it travels with you.”
Linda Nguyen, 2017
“As a first-generation college student in my family, I came to Penn State without a network and anyone physically present to support me on my journey. As a graduate, I am proud to be a part of the largest alumni network in the world.”
Kathleen Ritter, 2017
“Penn State gave more than I could ever ask for in four years, so this is my way of giving back to them.”
Jaden Rankin-Wahlers, 2017
“A love of Penn State, combined with a deep commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy, makes this position a great fit for me. If I can help connect and encourage others to further their communities, it is work I will be proud of.”
Five recent graduates have been selected for the inaugural class of the Young Alumni Ambassador Program. All of these ambassadors will be matched with an alumni volunteer leader and an affiliate group of the Penn State Alumni Association, as well as a professional mentor to provide a year-long learning experience across the Penn State network.
The ambassadors were selected for the position after applying and proceeding through a selection process that included multiple interviews with the Alumni Association. This year, the five ambassadors are as follows:
— Caroline Briselli ’17
— Adam Jarvis ’17
— Linda Nguyen ’17
— Kathleen Ritter ’17
— Jaden Rankin-Wahlers ’17
“The Alumni Association is thrilled with our inaugural cohort of Young Alumni Ambassadors—each bringing unique Penn State experiences and alumni interests to the program,” said Paul Clifford, CEO of the Alumni Association. “We are excited to learn from their involvement as each undertakes a tailored and individualized volunteer experience. The ambassadors are helping to shape the Alumni Association’s current and future engagement opportunities, and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds for them and the Alumni Association.”
The five ambassadors will be located across the United States—in Arizona, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and the San Francisco Bay area.
The program will be personalized to each participant as they pursue their interests with the hopes of becoming a lifelong volunteer leader. Whether they want to use their role within the program to spread the good news of Penn State or work to connect young alumni to their alma mater, the program will play to the strengths and interests of each of the ambassadors.
The Young Alumni Ambassador program was developed in part through the generosity of Peter and Ann Tombros, who provided seed funding for the initiative.
“It is our hope that through the Young Alumni Ambassador Program we can find ways to connect with our young alums to ensure that they have a voice in influencing the future direction of Penn State,” Peter Tombros said.
As part of their applications, all of the ambassadors spoke briefly on their interest in the program and why they believe they were a good fit to be part of its inaugural class. Excerpts follow.
Caroline Briselli, 2017
“My appreciation for Penn State’s alumni community and my understanding of its impact have made me very excited to join the Alumni Association and begin a lifetime of giving back to the University, which has given so much to me.”
Adam Jarvis, 2017
“Penn State is amazing and the opportunities and experiences that I received from Penn State shaped me into who I am,” Jarvis said. “Penn State doesn’t just stay in Happy Valley, it travels with you.”
Linda Nguyen, 2017
“As a first-generation college student in my family, I came to Penn State without a network and anyone physically present to support me on my journey. As a graduate, I am proud to be a part of the largest alumni network in the world.”
Kathleen Ritter, 2017
“Penn State gave more than I could ever ask for in four years, so this is my way of giving back to them.”
Jaden Rankin-Wahlers, 2017
“A love of Penn State, combined with a deep commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy, makes this position a great fit for me. If I can help connect and encourage others to further their communities, it is work I will be proud of.”