AFA makes changes to bring awareness to student philanthropy

Typically known on campus as a small student group that volunteers alongside the Alumni Association, incoming Ambassadors for the Association of Future Alumni (AFA) knew change was needed to the organization. The program needed to not only continue providing engagement opportunities between students and alumni, but also raise awareness about the importance of giving back to your alma mater.

Changes began with rebranding and diversifying AFA. A new system was created to focus on assigning tasks in which members, based off of their talents and backgrounds, could complete or create. All of the ambassadors’ talents will then be brought together to create Alumni-Student engagement events, media, and a student philanthropy program.

The committee chairs and president were phased out and replaced with Executive Director, Director of Philanthropy, and Director of Engagement.

AFA became actively involved in campus activities including a Leadership Appreciation Reception, the Official Louisiana Ring Ceremony, and Rock the Swamp.

The Association hosted a new event, Popcorn & Postcards, at the end of the semester. The motive was simple: students sign a postcard thanking University donors and in exchange, receive popcorn to snack on. Over 120 postcards were signed thanking generous alumni for their support of the University while also educating students that their tuition and fees cover only approximately 40% of the UL Lafayette experience. It’s the private support from alumni and friends they were thanking that help to bridge the funding gap.

The organization hopes to sponsor new events as well as increase the Student Philanthropy Education Program. “We want to expand upon the events we’ve hosted over the past two semesters,” incoming Executive Director Jonathan Adams said.

The program also hopes to forge bonds with other student organizations in an attempt to increase alumni presence with those individuals. “Personally, I am proud of what the organization has become in the past year and I’m excited to see what this new year will bring us,” said Adams.

Applications are currently open through May 4 to become an ambassador of the Association of Future Alumni. Current students who have completed at least 30 credit hours as an undergraduate or 9 credit hours as a graduate student and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA are welcome to apply.

Photo: AFA ambassador Jonathan Adams exchanges popcorn for a postcard signed by a student.