In an expansion of UNC’s professional alumni network, the UNC Alumni Association welcomes seven volunteers and industry leaders as new members of the UNC Alumni Board, with terms beginning July 1, 2022.
Nichole Bell '96 (Assistant Superintendent, Cherry Creek School District), Menan Bergman '00 (Financial Advisor, Bank of Colorado and Raymond James), Alton Dillard '86 (Communications Manager, City and County of Denver), Thomas Hartman '07 (Consultant, Colorado Workforce Development Council), Anissa Guzman '93, '01 (Director of Professional Practice, Tucson Medical Center), Brandon Torrez '99, '02 (Mathematics Teacher, Greeley West High School), and Ashley Valenzuela-Ruesgen '11 (Director of Corporate Human Resources, Hensel-Phelps).
Serving in an advisory capacity, alumni board members aid UNC in improving alumni engagement and outreach throughout the university’s various alumni groups and networks. UNC’s alumni community extends globally to include more than 138,000 living alumni pursuing careers in a variety of growing industries. Supporting and engaging these alumni is the work of UNC’s alumni relations staff and volunteers.
“UNC alumni represent industry and thought leaders in education, health care, business and many community-oriented fields,” shares Lyndsey Crum ’05, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations. “Our university’s alumni board is a reflection of our community’s collective influence and our belief that active alumni engagement is strategically important in advancing UNC’s student success and career readiness priorities.”
Beginning in July, UNC enters year two of the 10-year strategic plan Rowing, Not Drifting 2030, and alumni relationship grow in emphasis to support career readiness, community engagement and philanthropic outcomes.
“As proud UNC alumni, our new board members model a commitment to fostering UNC’s sense of belonging and community by serving students and recent graduates as mentors, career advisors, advocates, employers and scholarship donors,” Crum says. “I am excited to incorporate their experiences and perspectives as we aim to involve more alumni in supporting one another and most critically, supporting the success of every student who enrolls at UNC.”
The board’s new members join existing board members, including board chair Quinston Daugherty '97, '00 (Financial Representative, Modern Woodman of America), past-chair Jill Trotter '87 (Community Philanthropist and Entrepreneur), Mary Jo Drew '79 (Retired Medical Director), Jasmine Jones '17 (Staff Accountant, Wipfli LLP) and Rob Thorne '92 (Human Resources Director, Aurora Public Schools).
Get Involved as a Volunteer
Help UNC and the alumni board build a strong Bear Network. Volunteers are needed to lead regional alumni groups, serve as mentors and career advisors, support marketing initiatives and be available for classroom or student-group presentations.
