Emory’s Eagle Connections program is the foundation for building meaningful, long-term relationships between alumni and newly enrolled Emory students. Online connections take place during students’ first year of enrollment, a time when they need encouragement most. By cultivating these relationships early on, alumni are essential in supporting the new student experience at Emory!
If you are an Emory alum who would enjoy a flexible, remote opportunity to engage with students during their early college experience, register to be an Eagle Connections volunteer today!
Registration for the Fall 2024 Eagle Connections Program is open now.
Want to learn more about being an Eagle Connections alumni volunteer? Join us for a webinar designed especially for future volunteers like you!
A partnership between Advancement and Alumni Engagement, the Office of Undergraduate Admission, and the Office of Undergraduate Education, Eagle Connections connects newly enrolled students with alumni to build meaningful, supportive relationships during their early academic careers.
In collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Education, Eagle Connections was seamlessly incorporated into the required Emory College course, ECS 101–Emory Essentials, in 2023.
Why is your role in Eagle Connections vital to Emory’s future? Check out an article featured in Inside Higher Ed, which highlights Emory’s alumni admission volunteer programs!
FAQs
Eagle Connections is a partnership between Advancement and Alumni Engagement, the Office of Undergraduate Admission, and the Office of Undergraduate Education at Emory University. Its prior iteration, known as the Alumni Interview Program, has been one of Emory’s largest alumni engagement opportunities. The program connects new Emory students with alumni to build meaningful relationships. Eagle Connections is just one program under the Alumni Admission Network umbrella.
We are pleased to offer a reimagination of the Alumni Interview Program (AIP) beginning the 2022-2023 academic year, called Eagle Connections. As we consulted the Office of Undergraduate Admission, they expressed that there was a need to shift efforts from prospective students to admitted students in order to support them through the enrollment stages. By focusing on enhancing relationships with students early on, we are confident that alumni will be a key factor in supporting the admitted student through their college decision journey.
Based off of strategic conversations with university leadership, including the Office of Undergraduate Admission & Advancement and Alumni Engagement, along with a review of historical data, conversations with university peers, and best-practices, it was decided that the most beneficial audience to support with this initiative was admitted students.
An evaluative alumni interview in the college admissions process is often considered a micro-barrier. Micro-barriers are roadblocks that a student encounters during the college search process which have the potential to cause the student undue harm related to their admissions. By providing a safe and low-risk environment for admitted students to explore the Emory experience through casual alumni conversations, we have removed a micro-barrier in the admissions process, supporting a more equitable process.
Comprehensive training, include digital materials, virtual webinars, and more will be provided to volunteers. Volunteers are required to review all training resources prior to their first student conversation.
Please contact Allyson Michael, Senior Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, at aan@emory.edu
Emory alumni interested in volunteering with Eagle Connections should complete the Alumni Admission Network information form and notate their interest in Eagle Connections.
Contact Information
Allyson Michael
Senior Associate Director of Alumni Engagement
aan@emory.edu