Professional development for OHIO’s next generation of volunteer leaders.
About Young Alumni Leaders
The purpose of the Young Alumni Leaders (YAL) program is to empower recent OHIO alumni to engage with the University and provide them with the skills and connections they need to be successful in becoming a future Bobcat volunteer leader. Focus will be given to the personal and professional development of cohort members with lessons and experiences relevant to both work and life to prepare you for future volunteer roles.
While we will have occasional, optional volunteering opportunities, our time together will be spent learning how to be an exceptional volunteer leader.
Why join YAL?
- Gainknowledge and insight into the work of Ohio University and the impact it makes our on students and communities
- Connectwith fellow recent alumni to build your Bobcat network
- Developyour personal leadership style as you build your Bobcat legacy
- Learnabout exciting ways to give back to OHIO
- Enjoyexclusive cohort events, program swag, and unique connections to OHIO faculty and staff
Schedule of Sessions
The Young Alumni Leaders 2024-2025 cohort will run September 2024 through March 2025. The opening and closing, daylong sessions are mandatory and will be held in-person on the Ohio University campus in Athens, Ohio. All other monthly sessions are virtual and held on the first Tuesday of every month, October-February, 6-7:15 p.m. ET. Two additional mandatory working sessions will be held throughout the program.
Monthly session dates:
Note: All sessions are mandatory unless otherwise noted
- September 6 – Opening session, Athens, Ohio
- September 7 – Optional cohort activities, Athens, Ohio
- October 1 – Virtual
- November 4* – Virtual
- November 19 – Working session with college dean
- December 3 – Virtual
- January 7 – Virtual
- January 21 – Working session with college dean
- February 4 – Virtual
- March 7 – Closing Session, Athens, Ohio
- March 8 – Optional cohort activities, Athens, Ohio
* The November session has been moved to Monday, Nov. 4 due to election day on Nov. 5.
Program participants will also be assigned to a small group within the cohort with whom they will work on a College Alumni Engagement project. This program-long project aims to address a challenge or need related to alumni engagement at OHIO. We are excited to have several academic college deans as partners in this project which allows cohort members to meaningfully connect with University leaders. This will be a practical and applicable exercise aimed at providing real-world experience to cohort members.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted through Friday, July 19, 2024.
Application elements include:
- Basic contact and education information
- Resume
- Three brief essay prompts:
- Please provide a brief bio (1200-character max.)
- Why are you interested in participating in the Young Alumni Leaders program? (1200-character max.)
- What inspires you to be a volunteer for Ohio University? (1200-character max)
Please note, our application system will not save progress if exited mid-way. Therefore, please plan to submit all pieces of the application in one sitting.
Program Cost
The cost to participate in the Young Alumni Program is $50. Participants of the program will not only receive the monthly professional development sessions but will also enjoy catered meals during the in-person events and YAL swag. Payment is due upon acceptance into the program.
Requirements and Additional Information
- The Young Alumni Leaders program is open to all Ohio University alumni approx. 35 years of age or younger.
- Approximately 30 alumni will join the 2024-2025 cohort.
- Participants must attend all sessions, both in-person and virtual.
- The seven-month program time commitment is approximately 24 hours with additional time for the College Alumni Engagement project group work.
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Meet OHIO’s Young Alumni Leaders