Jepson Alumni Corps

Jepson alumni are diverse, but many find that they have at least one thing in common. They are passionate about their unique experiences at the nation’s first school of leadership studies.

The formation of a new emissary group, the Jepson Alumni Corps, will give alumni who want to give back, share their experiences and help the School move forward another opportunity to do so. As the Jepson School prepares to celebrate 20 years, the group will work to strengthen ties and offer suggestions on special projects.

“We’re excited to reinvigorate our alumni group in advance of the 20th anniversary,” says Kerstin Soderlund, associate dean for student and external affairs. “It’s a great opportunity for alumni to really get involved and work with us on some of the planning.”

The Corps is designed to include alumni from a broad spectrum of career fields and graduation years. Allison Marsh Bogdanovic, ’01, and Greg Efthimiou, ’99, will serve as co-chairs.  

Members serve on one of three committees: special projects, alumni engagement or student engagement.

“We hope that having co-chairs and committees will cultivate greater engagement among members and provide them a greater sense of ownership,” says Soderlund. “Members will serve either a two- or three-year term. Reappointment is possible, but the Corps is designed to give many Jepson graduates an opportunity to serve.”

Members serve at the invitation of the deans. The group’s responsibilities include advising the deans and staff, educating external parties about the Jepson School, participating in events and programs to assist current students, serving as a liaison between alumni and the School and participating in initiatives that support the School.

The group will meet at least twice each year. The first meeting was held this month on campus.

Soderlund says she is pleased with the positive response she received from alumni she contacted about joining. “No one said no. Every person we asked either said yes or asked us to get back to them in a couple of years.”

Several members say they are especially excited about more opportunities to connect with students.

“That’s where a lot of the fun is going to be,” says Efthimiou. “We want to show current students that being part of the Jepson School is not just a three-year commitment and relationship while they’re here on campus. It’s a lifelong affiliation.”

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Current Jepson Alumni Corps members are:

Evan Baum, '03
Kelly Beeland, '96
Allison Marsh Bogdanovic, ’01 (co-chair)
Ashley Bolding, ’06
Braxton Bragg, ’06
Adrienne Capps, ’98
Bobby Cockrill, ’01
Greg Efthimiou, ’99 (co-chair)
Emily Griffey, ’01
Mark Hickman, ’07
Aaron Lee, ’00
Raegan Morris, ’99
Patrick Oliver, ’98
Tripp Perrin, ’95
Tim Pitts, ’00
Elizabeth Ream, ’96
John Renehan, ’00
Kate Rezabek, ’02
Jim Schettine, ’01
T.R. Straub, ’06
Laura Thompson, ’94
Suezy Vaughn, ’06