Week 11 Alumni Office

Practicum is finally slowing down. I feel like I have met everyone on this campus who touches the Alumni Office in any way (which is a GREAT Thing). Within the last two weeks I met Mike Richie from Athletics and Anthony Lowe from Academic Outreach and Continuing Education.  

Both meetings were very informative and I was able to apply what each of them taught me to the Practicum experience. The meeting with Mike Richie was a real eye opener on Athletics and how football affects the university from an Athletic department standpoint. I don’t think the football players realize how much other people rely on them to win.  Mike Richie stated if the football team loses at the Egg Bowl it will decline enrollment. I don’t know how much of this is true but he also stated that the culture of Mississippi State University depends on football. In addition to speaking about football and how winning games, increases enrollment, he spoke on the connection between the BullDawg Club and MSU Alumni Association. He stated that, most university Athletic department and Alumni Office lack collaboration due to lack of trust, lack of relationships, and not respecting the coach. The Alumni Office at MSU does a wonderful job maintaining relationships with the Athletic department and continues to build on those relationships.  MSU’s Alumni office understands why their partnership with the Athletic department is one of many additions to the success of the department.

My visit with Anthony Lowe was great! I learned so much about his department and he also helped me with my job search. Anthony had an idea of reaching out to the Alumni office to brand their department and as a result of that, their participation rate has increased. Anthony Lowe is a forward thinker and displayed how one idea can spiral and turn into action. He is very compassionate about his job and I hope to one day display that same compassion after years on the job.