Best of CASE District II Award
 

Institution: Syracuse University

Title of entry: Diverse Volunteer Engagement: The Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council

About this entry: The Office of Multicultural Advancement created an alumni advisory council to drive diverse alumni volunteers at Syracuse University. This is the first time that Multicultural Advancement has had an advisory in its 40 year history.

Key alumni were asked to participate through conversations with the Associate VP, Multicultural Advancement and the gift officers managing the nominees. The focus was to recruit prominent, engaged alumni who were keen on giving and supporting underrepresented students at SU and those who had a positive connection to the University.

The Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council is a cohort of 25 diverse alumni in leadership roles (Director or above), who commit to giving $2500 per year to the university and support the efforts of our Unit. It operates similar to our School and College boards and councils, with two meetings per year and regular engagement with the Chancellor and his senior leadership team.

At the close of the council's first term in December of 2021, we have seen significant results from this group, particularly related to the diversity of the university's pool of volunteers and giving as compared with existing boards/councils.