Volunteer

five people holding hearts in their hands

Values & Beliefs

Values 

Inclusion | Integrity | Excellence | Connection | Lifelong Learning

Mohawk College believes

  • Alumni volunteers are valued partners of the Mohawk College community
  • Alumni volunteer contributions enrich learning, inspire, and support students in becoming future ready
  • Diversity among our alumni is a strength and is reflected in our volunteer base. Mohawk College commits to ensuring an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment for all volunteers
  • Meaningful volunteer opportunities enhance the personal and professional skills of Mohawk graduates and deepen their connection to the college
  • Alumni are ambassadors of the college and their lifelong engagement with the college contributes to its advancement

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in volunteering? Please contact alumni [at] mohawkcollege.ca (alumni[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) to learn more about current volunteer opportunities.

Alumni Advisory Council

The Council act as ambassadors, advisors and decision-makers to inform programming and services offered to graduates by Alumni Relations and the College

Meet the Alumni Council members

Position description

Purpose

Provide advice, support, insight and recommendations on the engagement of alumni by Alumni Relations and the College

Key Responsibilities

  • Ambassadors: engaging and connecting alumni, promoting and participating in events, act as a brand representative, share expertise
  • Advisors: share perspectives, experiences and insights and feedback from alumni, provide advice and recommendations on strategy, initiatives, events, partnerships and opportunities, support the development and delivery of benefit and services programs
  • Decision Makers: provide input into the recruitment of new members, ensure new members receive orientation, training and mentor support, review, discuss and provide feedback on annual work plan
     

Benefits

  • Play an important role in shaping programming for fellow alumni
  • Build your network and participate in activities that enhance personal and professional development
  • Reconnect with the Mohawk College community and your alma mater
     

Qualification(s)

  • Mohawk College graduate of a full-time, certificate or apprenticeship program
  • Please note the following:
    • Council membership will be 12-15 members including staff from College Leadership, Alumni Relations, the Mohawk Students’ Association and the Mohawk College Foundation
    • The Council will maintain a diversity of membership to ensure broad and meaningful representation that reflects the diversity of Mohawk College alumni
    • Council members can apply or be recruited
    • The term for members is 2 years. Members can service three consecutive two year terms for a total of six years maximum
    • There are opportunities for participation in Council leadership
    • Any vacancies shall be filled with input from other members and Mohawk College staff


Time Commitment

  • Minimum of four meetings per year at dates, times and places that are agreed upon by the Council and the College (currently taking place virtually)
  • Attend and actively participate in the Mohawk College Alumni Association Annual Retreat
  • Attend the Alumni of Distinction Awards
  • Participate in a minimum of 2 additional Alumni events per year
     

Orientation and Training

  • New Council members will receive an orientation package with background on the College's strategic plan, the Alumni Relations team and history of the Association
  • New Council members will attend a welcome meeting with the Director of Alumni Relations and Chair of the Council

Reunion Class Connector

Class Connectors act as the main contact for their virtual or in-person reunion, planning communications with classmates and coordinating logistics

Learn more about reunions

Position description

Purpose

Organize, plan and execute a reunion with classmates, team or club members with support from the Alumni Office 

Key Responsibilities

  • Act as the primary contact to your classmates and to a representative from the Alumni Office
  • Assemble an organizing committee if you wish
  • Determine the date, time and type of reunion (virtual, in-person)
  • Determine when and how invitations will be distributed, and whether the Alumni Office will assist
  • Coordinate activities associated with the reunion and communicate with classmates
  • Contact the Alumni Office after the event with updated contact information of participating alumni, a small write up about the reunion and photos to use in Alumni publications
     

The Alumni Office is here to help and can provide the following support:

  • Event planning advice to the Class Connector and organizing committee
  • Provide a class list with contact information upon signing a confidentiality agreement
  • Distribute an invitation by email
  • Assist with setting up a virtual platform. The Alumni Office can host your reunion on a premium Zoom account and provide virtual backgrounds if you wish
  • Provide welcoming remarks from the Alumni Office
  • Provide Alumni swag and draw prizes
  • Feature photos of your reunion on social media, the alumni website, and in our InTouch magazine (if timing is applicable)
     

Benefits

  • Reminisce, share memories and catch up with classmates 
  • Reconnect with the Mohawk College community and your alma mater
     

Qualification(s)

Mohawk College graduate of a full-time, certificate or apprenticeship program

Time Commitment

  • Time commitment will vary based on the type of reunion and whether an organizing committee is assembled
  • It is recommended that planning for a reunion begins at least three months in advance to allow time for communications and planning 


Orientation and Training

  • The Alumni Office will provide a reunion planning toolkit to assist with your planning and offer support as listed under Key Responsibilities 

Alumni Guest Speaker or Panel Member

Support students as they prepare for life after graduation by speaking in a classroom, participating on a grad panel, or providing mentorship 

Position description

Purpose

Provide support to Mohawk College students interested in learning more about the industry of their studies and the diverse career journeys of graduates

Key Responsibilities

  • Correspond with Mohawk College staff or faculty about the event date, format and expectations as a guest speaker/panelist
  • Prepare speaking points to highlight your career and advice you want to share with new graduates transitioning into the workforce
  • Speak about your experiences and lessons learned throughout your career
  • Assist in answering student questions as required
     

Benefits

  • Give back to the community and inspire future professionals in your industry
  • A professional development opportunity to enhance public speaking and mentorship skills
  • Reconnect with the Mohawk College community and your alma mater
     

Qualification(s)

Mohawk College graduate of a full-time, certificate or apprenticeship program

Time Commitment

One day commitment varying from 0.5 to 2 hours in length

Orientation and Training

  • Prior to the event, volunteers will receive an event agenda and be briefed by Mohawk College staff or faculty on the target audience and the discussion questions or focus for your speaking
  • Volunteers will receive information on accessing campus or tips on using the online platform Zoom as well as additional technical training and support as requested

Webinar/Workshop Presenter

Present or lead a session to share your expertise in career development or personal development with fellow graduates and students

Position description

Purpose

Share your knowledge and provide valuable insight on a topic related to personal development or career development in a webinar for Mohawk graduates and students

Key Responsibilities

  • Correspond and collaborate with Mohawk College Alumni Relations staff about an agreed upon date, format and expectations as a volunteer presenter
  • Prepare any materials and speaking points necessary to carry out your presentation, i.e. PowerPoint
  • Share your materials in advance with the Alumni Relations representative
  • Arrive 10 minutes early to the virtual event to test audio and video
  • Provide insights on chosen theme and topic through your presentation
  • Assist in answering participant questions as required
     

Benefits

  • Give back to the community and share your knowledge on an area of expertise
  • A professional development opportunity to enhance public speaking skills
  • Reconnect with the Mohawk College community and your alma mater
     

Qualification(s)

  • Mohawk College graduate of a full-time, certificate or apprenticeship program
  • Lived experience or volunteer/work experience in chosen theme of webinar
     

Time Commitment

  • Preparation of presentation and materials up to 4 hours
  • Webinar or workshop presentation varying from 0.5 to 2 hours in length
     

Orientation and Training

  • Prior to the event, volunteers will receive an event outline and be briefed by an Alumni Relations representative on specifics such as the target audience, timing and other logistics
  • Volunteers will receive tips on using the online platform Zoom as well as additional technical training and support as requested

Event Support

Do you enjoy the excitement of an event and meeting new people? Opportunities to volunteer at virtual and in-person Alumni events are available throughout the year

Learn more about Alumni events

Position description

Purpose

Work as a team in providing day-of support at an Alumni event to facilitate an enjoyable experience for participants 

Key Responsibilities

  • Correspond with Mohawk College Alumni Relations staff about event details and responsibilities specific to supporting the respective event
  • Arrive on-site at the venue or access the virtual event platform promptly
  • Provide support with logistics such as set-up and teardown, registration/check-in, greeting and directing participants, and/or supporting students in workshops
  • Events include:
    • Convocation ceremonies - every February, June and October
    • Alumni Nine & Dine - the first Friday in June
    • The Alumni of Distinction Awards Celebration - takes place in October 
    • Mohawk Super Saturday alumni weekend - the first Saturday in November
    • CareerReady by Alumni workshops (currently virtual) 
       

Benefits

  • Give back to your community and build your network
  • Enhance your skills interpersonal communication and event coordination 
  • Stay connected with the Mohawk College community and your alma mater
     

Qualification(s)

  • Mohawk College graduate of a full-time, certificate or apprenticeship program
  • Current Mohawk College student 
     

Time Commitment

One day commitment, typically between 1 hour to 6 hours

Orientation and Training

  • Volunteers will receive an event outline and be briefed by an Alumni Relations representative on details such as the event agenda, parking, dress code etc.
  • If applicable, volunteers will receive tips on using the online platform Zoom as well as additional technical training and support as requested
  • Prior to the event start, volunteers will receive instructions on their role specific to the event and directed on to approach with questions

Other Opportunities

  • Share your career story - Alumni Relations proudly features graduate stories on the Alumni website, in monthly newsletters and in our bi-annual In Touch magazine. If you are interested in being highlighted, please contact alumni [at] mohawkcollege.ca (subject: Share%20my%20career%20story) (alumni[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca).
  • Program Advisory Committees - A committee of professionals who work closely with each academic area to ensure student and graduate success. Learn more about Program Advisory Committees.
  • Provide Student Experiential Learning - Mohawk College’s programs offer a variety of work-integrated learning opportunities, including co-op and unpaid placements (field, practicum, and clinical). Learn more about becoming an employer partner.
  • Internal Alumni Engagement Committee - This committee comprised of Mohawk College employees is focused on better serving the college’s engagement and philanthropic goals while enhancing collaborative partnerships. Learn more about Internal Alumni Engagement Committee.

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight

Careena Browne

Careena Browne 
Health, Wellness & Fitness, 2015 & Child and Youth Care, 2018

Panel Member, Black History Month Alumni Panel

"This was an amazing experience to have the opportunity to participate in a conversation with such distinguished individuals and share my voice during the month of black history. Through conversations and creating platforms such as the Black History Alumni Panel, we can take steps forward as a society and break barriers, create conversations, and be held accountable for all we can do to ultimately be one race, the human race. Thank you to Mohawk College for giving me the opportunity to be a part of that story.”

Kyle Datzkiw

Kyle Datzkiw
Business, 2016

Member, Alumni Advisory Council, Co-Chair, Young Alumni Advisory Committee & Guest Speaker

"Some of my greatest memories and experiences with Mohawk College and their ever-growing community have come through volunteer opportunities with the Mohawk College Alumni Association. Whether it was the connections I made through being a member of the Alumni Advisory Council, the thrill of speaking to future alumni at convocation, or the engagement at one of the many events, it has always been a wonderful experience. You will never regret giving back your time, talent, or treasure to Mohawk College and our Alumni community."

Lisa Cook

Lisa Cook
Pharmacy Technician, 2002

Panel Member, Pharmacy Technician Program

"It has been such a great experience for me to be able to volunteer as a guest speaker to the Pharmacy Technician program.  It serves as an opportunity for me to offer insight, to different roles and markets that look to employ graduates of the program, that do not fit the typical pharmacy mould.  Working in a specialty area myself, I feel like it is important to spread the word and spike the interest of students that may share a passion in the same type of environment."

Lena Bouma

Lena Bouma
Graphic Design, 2020

Member, Young Alumni Advisory Committee

“Sitting in the DBARC gym for my fall orientation in 2017 I knew that volunteering was something I wanted to get involved with at Mohawk. I was motivated by the idea that my time at Mohawk could be characterized by more than academics, by building relationships and serving others. I spent time hanging posters, working events, and even picking up trash in the Red hill valley. My work experiences with Student Life, in turn, prepared me for the office environment I work in today. Though I greatly miss my time at Mohawk College, I have been able to stay close to the people and place I love through being on the Young Alumni Advisory Committee. In addition, it was an honour to be the emcee for the 2023 Celebration of Learning Awards recognizing student leaders.”

Ron Cabak holding a certificate beside President Ron McKerlie

Ron Cabak
Control Systems Technology, 1972

Reunion Class Connector

“I was looking forward to getting together with my former classmates from the class of ’72. I was most interested in knowing how they were doing at this stage of their life and what direction their career took after leaving Mohawk. Myself and a couple of my classmates reached out to over half the class (not an easy task having come from a time with no internet or social media), and most of those were able to attend the reunion at the Golden Grad Celebration. I felt like a detective/sales person digging and making cold calls, but in the end, the experience was very satisfying and we had the largest class group in attendance. During our reunion, the conversations were mostly about our time at Mohawk and everyone had their share of special memories and we couldn’t miss hearing the anecdotes about certain instructors. We had, of course, all aged but the energy of being back together quickly took us back to a younger time when our futures were mostly unknown, but exciting and hopeful.” 

 

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