With support from Graduate School and International Education and the Arkansas Alumni Association, a new international alumni society chapter at the U of A will help connect international alumni, students, faculty and staff at the university.

The inaugural International Alumni Society Board met for the first time last month to make introductions and begin the foundational work of the society. The group is setting goals for its work including supporting the international community on campus through alumni networking, student recruitment, supporting scholarships and scheduling reunions, meetings and events, among other objectives.

"Our international alumni are united by their strong educational and cultural experiences at the University of Arkansas, and we wanted to create this alumni society chapter to build a stronger network of alumni across the globe," said Curt Rom, interim dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "We want to continue connecting with our alumni to hear their stories, create relationships and networks among them and have them help us promote the reputation and prestige of the U of A."

"The International Alumni Society is about 'friendraising,' and I'm thrilled to work with the board to build stronger relationships with our alumni across the globe and have them help us tell the U of A story," Rom added.

The group has also set a date for an international alumni reunion, to be held this summer, July 20-22. The event will include networking opportunities and tours of campus and other facilities and attractions across Northwest Arkansas. More information will be forthcoming.

Inaugural members of the International Alumni Society board are:

• Mengjiao Liao
• Saba Beyene
• Xavier Emery
• Faheem M. Khan
• Keukeu Abdullah
• Iwan Dharmawan
• Michael Hemmati
• Veronica Campbell Brown
• Takahiro Nakamura
• Olivera Jankovska
• Nabil Lehlou
• Mohamed Boudhoum
• Suellen Ayala Rojas
• Tariq Aldawsari
• Rene Chia

The International Alumni Society Board has agreed to meet at least three times per year with a live and virtual on-campus meeting annually. The society is in the process of selecting officers and developing their short-term and long-term goals.

"The IAS will be an important chapter of the Arkansas Alumni Association and will help support the mission of the association," Rom said.  "As a life-long member of the association and an alum, it is always fun to connect with fellow alumni."