Two weeks ago, the Hollins University welcomed back the Board of Trustees and the Hollins Alumni Board. Whenever the boards are on campus, Hollins always becomes a rather busy place. From board members running around from meeting to meeting to students giving presentations to its members, Hollins is always at its true zenith during this time.
I had the fortune of being in the vicinity of both of these amazing groups of Hollins Alumni. I was first introduced to the Hollins Alumni Board when I arrived in my Rise of Modern America course Friday morning. There were five of them who sat in the back of the class and they all introduced themselves and gave us a synopsis of who they are and why they were there. Primarily, what the Alumni Board does is find was to continually make Hollins a better and progressive place. Through observing classes and running events to obtain student feedback their main focus is student satisfaction and success; one of the major events that they held was a “Career Advice Fair.” Students were given
the opportunity to meet Hollins alumnae board members from a variety of career fields and cities to learn how they secured positions in their industries. Not only are such events integral from the advice and informational aspect, yet also from a networking standpoint. From a student perspective we all know how imperative social networking is and will remain to the progression of not only our academics, but also our career path.
The Board of Trustees has always proven to be a great group of individuals. The Alumnae Relations department put together a luncheon between trustee members and students who participated in the competitive internship program offered during our January Term. The internships range from Estee Lauder to UBS Financial Service, Inc. and they are dynamic opportunities that allow you to put your academic practices into real-life situations. The luncheon was to provide a mode of communication that would allow the trustees to hear about our experiences and find ways to improve not only our internship program, yet Hollins as a whole. I had the pleasure of sitting with Miriam Hayllar Farmakis’67,Rev. Cynthia L. Hale’75,Elizabeth Hall McDonnell’62 andHolly Hendrix’75; I had previous conversations and encounters with all of these women and other trustees prior however they never cease to amaze me with their enthusiasm and openness. Holly Hendrix is definitely no stranger to me as I interned with her over the January Term at UBS Financial Services, Inc. in New York. We spoke of everything from improved marketing strategies for Hollins to finding opportunities for possible summer internships. It is always a great feeling for as a student to speak with alumni and feel that sense of connection and relaxation.
I advise everyone to take advantage of such opportunities provided by the university. Alumni are there to aid you, although they may not have those direct lines of contact you need their advice is invaluable. Being able to have these events that allow us to work so closely with the boards is what truly makes Hollins University a unique and irreplaceable place. Furthermore, because we are smaller in respect to student population this also proves vital as it enables us to be build a more personal bond gradually with the alumni we speak with, rather than at a larger school where a plethora of people are battling for the same chance. With that said if you find yourself looking for an internship or advice with your career goals, contact your alumni. You never know who or what they know, from my firsthand experience with alumni I feel ten steps ahead of where I would have been if I had not contacted them. If you are interested in doing an internship in a specific state or sector contact Alumnae Relations or Ashley Glenn in the Career Center for alumni contact information.
Well Hollins Dollies I hope you have found some aid in these sentences! Stay studious, stay beautiful, and most importantly stay Fabulous!