The BUZZ

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Local alumni chapters launch

Irene Blundell, Director of alumni chapters

The University of Phoenix Alumni Association exists to serve graduates of the University, so when alumni began asking for local chapters, the Alumni Association happily obliged. Today, the University is celebrating the launch of its inaugural chapters in Detroit, Phoenix, San Diego and Boise with additional cities planned in the coming year.

Bringing together alumni where they live

"Our alumni chapters are informal, alumni-driven groups that connect our graduates in a given geographic location regardless of where they completed their coursework," explains Irene Blundell, director of alumni chapters in University of Phoenix’s Alumni Relations department. "Our alumni want to connect in their local communities, and we’re helping them accomplish this by providing them with the tools they need to come together as a group."

Alumni chapters offer many benefits to University graduates, including opportunities to network, develop mentoring relationships, enhance their careers and collectively give back to their communities.

"Our alumni are the best," says Blundell. "They are fantastic individuals who have gone above and beyond, and we want to honor their success by providing them with this opportunity to connect with other like-minded people."

A chapter is born

Alumni chapters are created by alumni for alumni. When an alumnus contacts the Alumni Association to express interest in creating a local chapter, the Alumni Association schedules a chapter interest meeting to gauge the demand. If there’s sufficient interest in the area, alumni are then elected by their peers into the four leadership roles necessary to start a local chapter.

“The chapters each determine their own mission and vision,” adds Blundell. “Then the Alumni Association provides the chapter with marketing, communication and event strategy support to help them do what they think is best for their local alumni chapter.”

Get involved!

If you live in the Detroit, Phoenix, San Diego or Boise areas, search for your local chapter on Facebook to get involved. If you’re interested in starting a local chapter in your city, contact Irene Blundell at irene.blundell@phoenix.edu.

Jamie Kohlbecker, BSIT ’05, MBA ’07

Chapter leader, Boise Chapter
“The Boise Chapter will continue to become a strong symbol of success and compassion while helping fellow alumni with employment opportunities … our vision is to help the Idaho chapter become a successful, positive, innovative network.”

Edward Foxworth III, MBA ’04

Chapter leader, Detroit Chapter
“We intend to stay connected with Metro Detroit-area alumni through a variety of educational, informational and career-oriented activities. Networking is extremely important to us, and we are focused on assisting alumni who are experiencing the pride of being a Phoenix!”