Involvement with Rensselaer should start from the day a student comes to campus, as a two-way, mutually beneficial relationship. Students learn from alumni and get a “foot in the door” on professional opportunities. Alumni offer life experiences and are a networking resource for students, who bring new technologies and energy to the workforce.

Below is information on student programs. Get involved, and let us know how we can help you!

Virtual Networking:

Pathways Program
Alumni relations and the career development center offer Pathways. Alumni mentors are matched with students based on career and interest areas. This program is not a job placement service, but an opportunity for students to investigate career/professional areas. Pathways encourages e-mail and/or phone contact between the student and mentor, and culminates with a visit (if possible) to the alumnus/a’s place of work. Visit the Pathways site to sign up.

Alumni Affinity Discussion Groups
Affinity groups are a developing alumni networking phenomenon. Groups are both virtual and regional, based on common interests, professions, or experiences. Students can join affinity discussion groups and attend regional events. Current affinities include: entrepreneurs; technology law (patent) and commercialization professionals; alumnae; minority alumni; building trades/real estate professionals; MS degree holders in Natural Sciences; and classes.

E-mail for Life
E-mail for Life is available to all alumni — undergraduate, graduate, Hartford campus, and distance education. Current juniors, seniors, and graduate students can also sign up. You may choose from a free forwarding service or an enhanced account for a nominal fee. Sign up now for your account.

Networking in Person:

Red & White Student/Alumni Connection
The Red & White Student Organization represents Rensselaer at high-visibility functions. Members serve as ambassadors for Rensselaer and represent the university to alumni, campus, and the community. Red & White builds relationships with alumni and the community, generates pride in the Institute, and promotes student awareness of the Rensselaer Alumni Association. Students develop communication and leadership skills, build career contacts, and meet new people while participating in university events. Visit the Red & White Web site for more information.

Alumni Affinity Groups
As explained in the virtual networking section above, affinity groups are a growing program for Rensselaer alumni. Part of the affinity group model includes the involvement of student professional or social groups. Get involved in an affinity group as a student and make a connection that could last a lifetime. For more information visit the Affinity Group page.

RAA Back to Campus Speaker Series
Alumni with significant life achievements are asked back to campus to present an interactive workshop on a topic related to their professional experiences. Students find these workshops valuable in understanding real world issues, office politics, and paths that our own alumni have taken in achieving success. The series is sponsored by the Rensselaer Alumni Association.

Archer Center Alumni Speakers
The mission of the Archer Center for Student Leadership Development is to provide opportunities to enhance leadership and followership skills, including communication skills, teamwork, multiculturalism, values, ethics, and self awareness. To complement and enhance Rensselaer’s rigorous technology-oriented curricula, the Archer Center customizes dozens of programs within the classroom and as co-curricular activities. Alumni are brought back in a “business lunch” format, allowing students to interact with an industry professional on various topics.

Zero Year Reunion
During Senior Week, alumni relations hosts a brunch to welcome graduating students to the Rensselaer Alumni Association. At this event, the alumni class banner is introduced, prizes are raffled off, and new alumni receive information about the benefits of the RAA.

Student Host Program
Students who plan to be on or near campus in early June should consider the Student Host program. During Reunion, students host and assist in events that bring back over 1,000 alumni and family members to celebrate their 5-year anniversary from graduation. Reunion alumni come back to have fun, and so being a student host is an enjoyable experience, in addition to providing great networking opportunities. If interested, contact Susan Haight at haighs@rpi.edu or call (518) 276-6042.

Alumni Inter-Greek Council (AIGC)
AIGC, a group of alumni who were members of fraternities/sororities, is involved in ensuring that the Greek system remains a vibrant part of the Rensselaer student experience. AIGC meets with representatives of the administration and Greek student representatives. If you are a student member of the Greek system and want to get involved, contact Jeff Schanz at schanj@rpi.edu or call (518) 276-6062.

RAA Board and Committees
The Grand Marshal, Graduate Council President, and President of the Red & White Student Organization are de facto members of the Rensselaer Alumni Association Board of Trustees. Young alumni comprise 20+% of the board and its committees. To get involved with the RAA Board as a student, or if you would like the board or the Student Life Committee to discuss a particular student issue, contact the student representatives or Jeff Schanz at schanj@rpi.edu or (518) 276-6205.

Student-Alumni Mentoring
A program is being developed to match young alumni with current students for a long-term mentoring relationship. This program will integrate real life advice from alumni of all ages and experiences, and will use multi-media vehicles to support the network.