Alumni Affinity Programs aim to instill a culture of belonging

Katie Crook
Assistant Director of Affinity Programs

The Office of Alumni Relations has created Affinity Programs to bridge the gap and further instill a culture of belonging at Tulane University. Affinity Programs creates programming and events for alumni groups with shared identities and/or interests.

Through the program, alumni can participate in social engagements, professional development, mentorship, service-based opportunities, and much more. Alumni are also encouraged to become volunteers and have a stake in their affinity community. Ways to volunteer include joining a volunteer committee, planning events or programs with the help of OAR, providing mentorship to students and young alumni, sitting on an admission panel, and so much more.

Throughout this academic year alone, Affinity Programs has supported at least nine unique affinity communities with programming and cultivation including Black Alumni Network of Tulane University (BANTU), Pride/Newcomb, SVA/Military, Rowing, and Engineering among others. The Office of Alumni Relations hopes that these new offerings enable alumni that have not been engaged in recent years to get more involved and build community within Tulane.

Gerry Triss, a 1979 graduate, is a prime example of Tulanians “returning home.” Triss attended the BANTU Legacy Bowl Tailgate this past February; it was her first time returning to campus in nearly three decades. Triss and other alumni like her are proud of the direction the university is moving towards and its positive change, as the work of the Office of Affinity Programs directly aligns with Tulane University’s “Strategy for Tomorrow” and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) mission.

Sean Doublet (A&S ’93), co-founder and head of operations of Neutral Ground Brewing Co., was the gracious host of a pre-Cotton Bowl party in Fort Worth, Texas. Doublet, who studied chemistry at Tulane, is just one of the many Black Tulanians that have made their mark after leaving the uptown campus. At the pre-game party, the presence of members of BANTU was strong, and everyone that attended had a great time, according to John Perez (E ‘90). Daryl Williams (A&S ’92), who also enjoyed the festivities in Dallas, summarizes it perfectly, “the D9 Greek, former athletes, and BANTU ties are still strong throughout the country."

Senior Associate Director of Affinity Programs Max Yanker and Assistant Director of Affinity Programs Katie Crook hope this new initiative will allow all alumni to find a way to feel included in the alumni community and connected to Tulane. Individuals interested in learning more about becoming an affinity volunteer or getting involved in a particular community should fill out this form to receive more information.