As Commencement approaches, many seniors are focused on finals, job applications and post-graduation plans. But one question often goes unasked: What happens after you become an alum?
According to Andrea Vickers-Sivret, director of alumni relations at Keene State College, every graduating student automatically becomes part of the Alumni Association the moment they graduate.
“Once you graduate, you are part of the Alumni Association automatically,” Vickers-Sivret said. “We would love to stay in touch and have you come back to campus.”
However, not all students are fully aware of what the Alumni Center does.
Julia, a junior at Keene State, said she has a general idea of the center’s purpose but is unsure about its full role.
“I would assume that they keep records of alumni and graduation stuff,” she said.
Although she later realized she had visited the building for an event, she admitted she had not thought much about alumni engagement after graduation. When asked if she sees herself participating in alumni events in the future, she responded, “I would hope so.”
The Norma Walker Hall, located in the Alumni Center, serves as a hub for alumni engagement. The office organizes events, manages communications and works closely with the Alumni Board and advancement team to maintain connections between graduates and the college.
Among its signature events are Homecoming Weekend, Hootie’s Alumni Night at a basketball game on Feb. 21, and the annual holiday reception held before the Jazz Ensemble concert each December. The center also collaborates on advancement events such as Momentum, where donors meet scholarship recipients and hear firsthand how their contributions support students.
“We try to keep engagement and communication going with alumni and donors,” Vickers-Sivret said. “It’s events and communications for the most part.”
Staying connected looks different across generations. Vickers-Sivret said that older alumni, particularly members of the Golden Circle – graduates celebrating their 50th reunion – often identify strongly with their class year. Younger alumni are more likely to reconnect through clubs, teams and organizations they were part of as students.
To reach alumni, the center uses multiple communication methods, including physical mail, email newsletters and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For graduating seniors, staying connected can offer practical benefits. Alumni can request an alumni card for library access, receive recreation center discounts and access lodging discounts. More importantly, alumni connections can help professionally.
“If you’re on LinkedIn and see someone who also went to Keene State, that first connection goes far,” Vickers-Sivret said. “You very quickly find commonalities and bond.”
She emphasized that alumni engagement strengthens both graduates and the college itself.
“The healthier our alumni base is, the more you’re talking about it,” she said. “It only helps the reputation of the college, and that helps you.”
For students who may not have considered what comes after graduation, Vickers-Sivret’s advice is simple: Get involved.
“The best way to have the best experience as a student is to get involved,” she said. “It’s the same when you become an alum. Stay connected.”
Elianny Nunez can be contacted at
