Creating Connection and Community

“Coming out of the pandemic, there’s a genuine desire for community — from students who just graduated to alumni who are actively engaged, to alumni who are disconnected,” says Bernard Greene, BS electrical engineering ’99, MBA ’14. “What better way to harness that desire for connection than to build affinity for the University where we all spent so much time?”

Greene, who just completed a three-year term as vice chair of the Alumni Board of Governors, began his term as chair in July. Joining him as the new vice chair is Angela V. Harris, BS information systems ’02. For both officers, growing an active alumni community is the key priority for the upcoming term.

Greene and Harris come to the board as experienced alumni volunteers. Greene began volunteering after graduation, mentoring and tutoring students, and his activity in the Drexel chapter of the Society for Black Engineers kept him close to the University.

It was about 10 years after graduation that Harris felt the call to give back. Starting out on the alumni board for the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI), she was then elected to the Drexel University Black Alumni Council (DUBAC).

Now, as Greene and Harris begin their three-year term as board chair and vice chair, they not only have their own vision but are continuing to build on the board’s existing priorities, which include a diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiative.

Says Harris, “In terms of DE&I, the Alumni Board of Governors is more diverse than when I joined. More colleges are represented, it’s geographically diverse, and our work benefits from the different perspectives.” Greene echoes Harris, saying that it will always be a priority for the board to include diverse voices.

Looking ahead, Greene and Harris are bringing a fresh focus on growing alumni connections. It’s their top priority, particularly among alumni who are disengaged. “We want to drive impact within Drexel’s alumni network and show people the benefits of reconnecting with the University,” says Harris. “It’s been wonderful for me — I’ve made lifelong friends since I’ve become reengaged.”

Reflecting on the strategies for increasing alumni involvement, Greene says, “One thing I encourage alumni to do is to think about their passions. They can leverage their passions within the Drexel alumni community. We have opportunities for everyone, and our job as a board is to make those opportunities available and discoverable. It’s also our job to listen, so I invite alumni to give us feedback about opportunities that are missing.”

Building connections through family engagement is another area of focus. Greene says, “There are many disengaged alumni whose kids also went to Drexel. There’s opportunity here to reestablish alumni connections from a familial perspective. We celebrate couples who met at Drexel, but we haven’t recognized Drexel families as much. I’d like to spend some time thinking about how we can leverage these family connections.”

Also recognizing that alumni engagement needs to begin during their time as students, Greene says, “There is also something different about the Class of 2024. They started college at the height of a pandemic and experienced something no other class has experienced. There’s a unique opportunity to think about how we can support these folks and keep them together as alumni.”

Both Greene and Harris are excited about their upcoming service on the board. Says Harris, “I’m looking forward to connecting with and meeting new alumni. I want to encourage them to reach out. Don’t hesitate.”

Remarks Greene, “I’m excited about providing community. I’m looking forward to being on campus and being a true resource. And to other alumni, I say, ‘Come along with us. We’re here for you.’

Meet the newest elected directors and hear what motivated them to run for the Drexel Alumni Board of Governors.