The magazine for alumni and friends of the UB School of Management
Issue link: http://ubschoolofmanagement.uberflip.com/i/261286
B B Spring 2014 A l u m n i I m p a c t You probably wouldn't be surprised to learn about the many networking opportunities that the School of Management Alumni Association (SOMAA) creates for members and nonmembers alike. You may even be linked to the alumni association's social media sites or a regular attendee at events like the Global Alumni Network Night, the golf outing or one of the professional development seminars that the alumni association hosts. But did you know that the School of Management Alumni Association is a key partner in helping the school achieve its mission and its strategic objectives? In fact, the alumni association is often the first place others in the school go when they need assistance. Just ask the Graduate Programs Office, the Career Resource Center (CRC), the Development Office or the faculty, and they will tell you that SOMAA is their "go-to" source for alumni speakers, case competition judges, corporate champions, research partners and more. Just take a look at some of the countless ways that SOMAA makes a significant impact on the School of Management: Attracting the Best and Brightest Fellowships – Each year, the alumni association awards a two-year scholarship to an incoming full-time MBA student. Having a scholarship to offer to top prospects helps the school attract the best and brightest students. Scholarship Gala – Each year, the alumni associa- tion is a proud sponsor of UB's premier fundraising event. Proceeds support scholarships for UB students in need. MBA Sneak Preview Weekend – Incoming MBA students learn what to expect as full-time MBAs at UB. The two-day event includes a net- working reception with business pro- fessionals, current students, faculty and staff, as well as a day of workshops and presentations. Alumni and fund- ing provided courtesy of the alumni association. Calls to Accepted Students – Alumni association board members reach out to applicants who have been accepted into the MBA program but have not yet enrolled. Sometimes a personal call from a successful grad- uate is all it takes to "seal the deal." Real-World Learning Executive Speaker Series – Designed to give stu- dents the opportunity to hear from senior executives (pri- marily alumni) who have excelled in their business careers, the monthly series is co-sponsored by the Graduate Programs Office and the School of Management Alumni Association. Coffee Cup Conversations – Offered by the CRC in partnership with the alumni association, the Coffee Cup Conversation series is an informal, interactive program where guest speakers from a variety of professional back- grounds share their expertise with students on such topics as explor- ing career opportunities, strategies to succeed in the workplace, how to find the right fit and how to land the ideal internship or job. Thank-You Gifts – When a faculty member needs a gift for an in-class guest speaker, the alumni association offers branded items to show appreciation for bringing the real world into the classroom. Career Exploration and Recruiting Support Career Passport Program – The alumni association helps to supplement what undergraduates learn in the classroom through the Career Passport program. Offered by the school's Career Resource Center with funding from SOMAA, the program provides students with com- prehensive and coordi- nated opportunities for career development, emphasizing the inter- personal and social skills required for success in business. Freshman ori- The School of Management Alumni Association —Partnerships for Impact Photo: Nancy J. Parisi