Alumni making a difference

By John Jonaid, 1st semester Journalism student 

As a graduate, you are a valued member of our Mohawk College community. Your knowledge, skills, and experience can make a real difference in the lives of current students.

Mohawk offers numerous volunteer positions that provide alumni with opportunities to reconnect with their former classmates. You can also give back by mentoring, coaching, or serving on a committee. There is a way for you to participate that aligns with your interests and schedule.

Some of the opportunities include: 

• Mentoring a current student in your area of expertise 
• Sharing your experience by speaking to students in a class or workshop
• Volunteering your time and skills to support a college event or project 
• Serving on a college committee or board, such as the Alumni Association Advisory Council 

Volunteering with Mohawk is more than just building skills; it's about building relationships and serving others. “I was motivated by the idea that my time at Mohawk could be characterized by more than academics, by building relationships and serving others," says Lena Bouma, a Graphic Design graduate and member of the Young Alumni Advisory Committee.

In addition to the benefits of making a positive impact, volunteering also presents an opportunity to rekindle connections with past classmates and colleagues. Taking on the role of a reunion leader or Class Connector can help foster those relationships and create a sense of community as one alum, Ron Cabak ‘72, shares, "I was most interested in knowing how my former classmates were doing at this stage of their lives and what direction their careers took after leaving Mohawk."

Ron recently attended his Golden Grad Celebration and describes his experience as rewarding, "During our reunion, conversations were mostly about our time at Mohawk and everyone had their share of special memories. We couldn't miss hearing the anecdotes about certain instructors. Although we had all aged, the energy of being back together quickly took us back to a younger time when our futures were mostly unknown but exciting and hopeful."

Volunteering with the Alumni Association is an excellent chance to contribute to building a robust alumni community and supporting the college. By becoming involved, you can make a significant impact and help foster a strong alumni network. 

Find out more about volunteering through the Mohawk College Alumni Association.

This story originally appeared in the print issue of Spring 2023 InTouch magazine.