Suzy Alba, a lifelong Rhode Islander and first-generation college graduate, is currently the director of alumni and college relations at Rhode Island College and is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from Roger Williams University. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College in 2005. Four years later, she was honored by RIC with the Young Alumna of the Year award in recognition of her outstanding commitment and service to the college. Alba is also a recipient of the Emerging Leader Award from Leadership Rhode Island, Rising Star in Politics Award from YWCA of Rhode Island and a Revitalizing Neighborhoods & Communities award from the New Leaders Council of Rhode Island.
Prior to her current position, Alba was the assistant director of annual giving in the advancement office at Brown University and worked as a development officer at the United Way of Rhode Island and director of the Rhode Island State Employees Charitable Appeal. She was appointed by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo to serve a three-year term on the Governor’s Workforce Board as the public higher education representative in 2015. Alba volunteers as a mentor for local youth and college students, and assists local nonprofit organizations with fund development and engagement strategies. She is also currently serving her third term on the Smithfield Town Council.
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PBN: What is the goal of these alumni groups located across the U.S.?
ALBA: Of our more than 59,000 reachable alumni, 17,000 (30 percent) graduates live outside of Rhode Island. Regional chapters are an effective way to deliver our engagement programs to alumni living out of state and keep them connected to the college and each other. Our goal is to plan a series of regular communications and events throughout the year to keep RIC graduates engaged and informed.
PBN: How well have the chapters in Boston and New York City been received by alumni living in those metropolitan areas?
ALBA: Our most successful chapter right now is New York City. We launched that chapter in June 2015 with a well-attended kickoff event that featured special guest alumnus Danny Smith, ’81, who is the writer/executive producer of “Family Guy.” Since that time, we have hosted chapter meetings, special events and networking receptions where current RIC students had the opportunity to network with our alumni living and working in New York City. This chapter has mostly attracted graduates involved in theatre and the arts, however, our hope is to plan programming that attracts alumni in every industry. Much of our success has also been due to the chapter’s leadership, a husband and wife team who both graduated in the 1990s.
Our Boston area alumni chapter was our first chapter, launched in January 2015. This regional group has also been received well and has attracted mostly recent graduates due to the type of programming we have offered. Our most popular events have been fall gatherings at Fenway Park. We have a Facebook group set up for each chapter and social media has helped us stay connected with alumni in these regions. It is great to see members posting photos and announcements about graduates who are doing amazing things in other areas of the country.
PBN: Why single out southern Florida for the third chapter?
ALBA: We have a surprisingly large alumni base in southwest Florida and received an enthusiastic response when we reached out about starting a chapter there. We believe southwest Florida will be an active and engaged group of RIC alumni.
PBN: What is the development timeline for the southern Florida chapter?
ALBA: We plan to launch the alumni chapter in southwest Florida in January, with the help of Rhode Island College President Frank Sánchez. Stay tuned!
PBN: Are there any more chapters in the works?
ALBA: Southwest Florida is the only one on the horizon, for now. We remain focused on building up our existing chapters and putting together a calendar for yearlong engagement, which will include events, activities and quarterly conference calls for alumni to stay involved and informed.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
