Last Saturday, Feb. 20, over 30 alumni were in attendance for the 4th Alumni Art Exchange. The day-long event brought alumni in arts professions from all over the country to campus for a day of lectures, discussions, and workshops. Students interested in careers in the arts spent the day learning studio techniques and business practices from former Guilford students. For these students, having a chance to talk with alumni on campus made meaningful connections that will further their future opportunities and ensure the growth of a wider arts and alumni community.
Community is one of the core values cited most often at Guilford. Students value their small class sizes and the active campus life, as well as the dedication of many groups who strive to practice community accountability and create supportive environments for all members of the Guilford community. Students find that the quality of Guilford’s community affects not just their education, but also is at the root of their vocational leadings.
As graduation approaches, some students may feel apprehensive about leaving Guilford’s supportive community and its resources. Fortunately, Guilford maintains an active alumni network that ensures Guilford graduates can remain connected to their classmates and faculty. This network also offers a diverse array of resources so that Guilford alumni can continue to contribute to the Guilford campus community and enrich the education of current students. In order to fully access Guilford’s wider community, students should begin to make connections with alumni before they even leave campus.
Through events like Homecoming and alumni publications, as well as the growth of state alumni chapters, Guilfordians are aware of the school’s developments and current students’ achievements. The Career and Community Learning office can connect current students to alumni in their professions of interest as they explore career options. Additionally, many support services, such as career counseling, are available to alumni even after they graduate.
Although current students can be assured that they will not lose Guilford’s support after graduating, they need to take advantage of opportunities to make alumni connections before graduation. Networking with alumni is a great way to make an impression in the professional field, and to utilize a Guilford education so as to positively impact communities outside of Guilford. Programs like the Alumni Art Exchange are an essential opportunity to make these connections and fully appreciate the range of resources that Guilford makes available.