About the Alumni Association Board
The SUNY Fredonia Alumni Association Board of Directors is a volunteer advocacy group that works with the Alumni Office to strengthen connections among alumni and improve the alumni experience.
Representing more than 55,000 graduates across SUNY Fredonia’s 200-year history, the Board helps ensure alumni voices are reflected in the college’s plans and priorities.
What the Board Does
Board members support alumni and current students through:
- Supporting regional alumni chapters and attending campus and regional events
- Participating in alumni-focused initiatives and programs
- Helping students access educational, career, and experiential opportunities
- Partnering with Institutional Advancement and Admissions on fundraising and college promotion
- Helping select recipients for alumni awards
- Providing guidance on issues that affect alumni
- Offering input on long-term planning and major academic, financial, and operational initiatives
Who We Represent
The Board is made up of 10 to 20 members who bring perspectives from a wide range of class years, geographic locations, professions, and personal backgrounds. Its composition is intended to reflect the diversity of SUNY Fredonia’s alumni community.
Board Membership
The Board includes:
- Six officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and President-Elect
- Three ex-officio members: President of the University, Vice President for University Advancement, and Director of the Office of Alumni Engagement
- Alumni directors: Members representing the broader alumni body
Terms of Service
Board members serve three-year terms and may serve a maximum of two terms. After completing a term, members may reapply for a second term following a one-year hiatus from the Board.
SUNY Fredonia Alumni Association Board members represent the college’s diverse alumni community. While their personal and professional backgrounds vary, all members share a passion for SUNY Fredonia and a record of leadership, professional achievement, or civic involvement.
To be eligible, a candidate must be a SUNY Fredonia alum with a degree from the college at any level—associate, bachelor’s, or master’s.
Current faculty and staff may serve if they are also alumni. Currently enrolled students are not eligible.
- Experience and accomplishment in an academic, civic, or professional domain.
- A broad interest in and concern for higher education.
- A broad concern for and interest in SUNY Fredonia as a whole, and for the overall quality and continuing improvement of its education programs, continued long-term success of the university, and stewardship of the community at large.
- A commitment to investing the time and energy necessary for effective service to the Board, Association, and SUNY Fredonia at large.
- An understanding of complex organizations.
- Proactive, hands-on approach.
- Leadership and consensus-building skills.
Board members are asked to serve as SUNY Fredonia ambassadors and to assume the following responsibilities:
- Serve a three-year term
- Work to advance the mission, purposes, and priorities of the Association and SUNY Fredonia
- Attend and participate in board meetings and meetings of assigned committees and any other entities, in compliance with bylaws provisions
- Attend SUNY Fredonia programs and events on campus and regionally
- Participate in affiliated alumni groups in one’s region or interest area(s)
- Identify potential students for admission to SUNY Fredonia and promote their interest in SUNY Fredonia
- Make an annual gift to SUNY Fredonia
How Board Nominations Work
The SUNY Fredonia Alumni Association Board of Directors selects new members through its five-member Nominating & Governance Committee, which includes current and former Board members and the Director of the Office of Alumni Engagement.
The committee reviews all nominations and applications, considers the Board’s current needs, and recommends a slate of candidates for approval at the Association Board’s spring and fall meetings.
How to Apply
- Nominations and applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the form linked below. You may nominate yourself or another alum.
- Applicants complete a short form that asks for basic information and several questions about their professional background, civic and community experience, involvement with SUNY Fredonia as an alum, and fit for the role.
- Applicants are also asked to secure an endorsement from a current or former Alumni Association Board member. If an endorsement cannot be obtained, a petition may be submitted instead.
Openings and Appointments
- Board vacancies are posted on www.fredonia.edu/alumni and shared through email, the monthly alumni newsletter, social media, and other channels.
- Appointments are for three-year terms beginning on April 1 or October 1—whichever date comes first after the application is submitted.
Review and Notification
- After the committee reviews applications, qualified nominees may be invited to one or more interviews. The committee then recommends a slate of candidates to the full Board for approval.
- Applicants will be notified by March 1 or September 1 whether they have been selected or are being held for future consideration.
- Applicants who are not selected remain eligible for consideration for two years from the associated appointment start date and may update an open application at any time during that period.
Know a great candidate for the SUNY Fredonia Alumni Association Board of Directors?
The mission of the Association is to promote and foster the best interests of SUNY Fredonia; strengthen relationships among alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the broader community; encourage alumni to support the University through engagement and service; and to promote fellowship, pride, and lifelong connections among alumni.