On September 27, 2024, the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences hosted an Alumni Open House as part of the school’s annual Alumni Weekend programming. Eight alumni ranging from the class of 1995 to the class of 2023 joined eight current students for an engaging afternoon of connection, reflection and discussion. Bryn Austin, Interim Co-Chair, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences led an icebreaker to get every single person in the room to meet one another and share a fun fact about themself. Lu Testa and Ana Warner, both current students in the MPH-65 program presented on their summer practicum placements, and Julia Vitagliano, MPH ’23 and Katelyn Ferreira, MPH ’18 shared their work trajectories since graduating and their ties with the department over the years. The afternoon wrapped up with a conversation facilitated by Alan Geller, Faculty Liaison to the MPH-65 Program in Health and Social Behavior. Alan prompted our alumni and current students to think of ways we can foster networking among students and graduates to share practicum and job opportunities. Some compelling ideas were raised such as piloting a mentorship program, creating shared interest groups, and conducting more direct outreach to alumni to host a practicum placement. A LinkedIn group has been created to set some of these ideas in motion. All alumni and current students of the SBS Department can request to join the group.
Fostering Student-Alum Connections
