Volunteering is a meaningful way for alumni to stay connected with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

There are so many ways to donate your time and talents—serving on the LAS Alumni Council or LAS alumni committees, mentoring, speaking to classes, offering externships, and more. Our alumni volunteer in their graduating departments, with programs that are meaningful to them, with the college, and more—and you don’t have to be near campus to participate in volunteer opportunities!

Potential volunteer opportunities include:

  • LAS Alumni Council
  • LAS alumni committees
  • Volunteering with LAS units
  • Alumni service projects
  • Student support (career support, job shadowing, networking)
  • Speaking in classes, at events, or on webinars
  • Networking with and hiring fellow alumni
  • Mentoring
  • Governmental advocacy
     

 

LAS alumni committees

One way to get involved with volunteering in the College of LAS is through alumni committees. Here are the committee opportunities currently available:

Connections & Advocacy

The purpose of the Connections and Advocacy Committee is to focus on building connections between alumni and the College of LAS as well as serving as advocates for LAS. Examples of initiatives that this committee will focus on include:

  1. Discussing opportunities to support LAS departments/units in their alumni engagement efforts
  2. Attending regional Illinois Connection events with lawmakers
  3. Attending/sponsoring regional club/affinity club events
  4. Sponsoring alumni apparel for IlliniFest or an LAS tailgate

Student Support

The purpose of the Student Support committee is to work on initiatives that support the students of the College of LAS. Examples of activities that this committee will focus on include:

  1. Sponsoring leadership training for LAS students
  2. Serving as advisors to LAS career and student services groups
  3. Developing ideas for programming that would connect alumni and students
  4. Speaking to students on topics such as career, leadership, etc.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee’s purpose is to aid the diversity and inclusion efforts within the College of LAS and with LAS alumni. Examples of activities that this committee will focus on include:

  1. Serving as advisors to D&I leadership in LAS and the Access & Achievement program
  2. Sponsoring a webinar for alumni focused on educating alumni about topics such as intrinsic bias or the diversity & inclusion assessment
  3. Helping to build relationships with the various affinity clubs (e.g. Black Alumni Network)
  4. Discuss ways to improve D&I across all other LAS alumni committees as well as LAS college/departmental initiatives

Membership Committee

The purpose of the Membership Committee is to review the applications of potential LAS Alumni Council members, interview applicants, and make a recommendation for new board members. This long-standing committee meets primarily in February – March annually.

Awards Committee

The purpose of the Awards Committee is to review and evaluate the nominations for the various LAS alumni award winners and select the honorees. This long-stating committee meets primarily in May – June annually.

Hear from current volunteers

Luis Narvarez

Luis Narvarez

BA, '03, Latin American studies and Spanish

"I am so thankful for the way Illinois shaped me for life. The people, the services, and the academics were top notch, and I want to make sure future generations of Illini are able to take advantage of the opportunities the institution offers, particularly to students from underserved, underrepresented communities such as the one I came from."

Susan Morisato

Susan Morisato

BS, ’75, mathematics and education; MS, ’77, mathematics

"Throughout my career, I had increasingly appreciated the value of my education at Illinois. The ability to problem solve and to think analytically was so valuable in my corporate career. When I joined the Mathematics Advisory Development Board, I was energized to assist students to use their mathematics skills and gain the necessary non-technical skills that are valuable to employers."

John Beck

John Beck

BS, ’71, Political Science; MS, ’74, Journalism

"Serving on the Department of Political Science Board of Visitors is a way to give back for the benefits I've received from my University of Illinois education. Our board helps connect alumni with the department and with students so they can see how a political science degree from Illinois can lead to success in many different fields."