Bronze
 

Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology

Title of entry: 40 Under 40: Awards Program Turned Engagement Strategy

About this entry: The inaugural 40 Under 40 program, created and launched by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, has truly been one of the most rewarding and engaging programs that we released in 2020, despite being programmatically challenged by the pandemic. This program has two goals in mind: to engage with campus partners and to reengage a population of disengaged young alumni. In just the first year, the program received over 400 nominations, was endorsed by each of the different colleges at the Institute, and was facilitated by one staff employee. Additionally, this program was supported publicly by the President of Georgia Tech, had representation from each college on the selection committee and in the nomination pool, and is truly the first of its kind at Georgia Tech. From creation to marketing to public release, 40 Under 40 was created and implemented virtually during the preliminary months of the pandemic shutdown. Although our original plan included an in-person weekend celebration for the honorees, we were able to completely change course and offer virtual engagements which introduced our honorees to campus partners, the alumni community, and to current students. Next semester, we are planning an in-person weekend event that will include a breakfast with Alumni Association board members, a campus tour with our Student Ambassadors, a chance for them to reconnect with any student organization connections, a celebratory lunch for honorees, and most important, a chance for these honorees to get in the classroom with students and meet with faculty.