College of Engineering Creates Early Career Alumni Council

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Recent graduates of the College of Engineering have collaborated with the college to create the Engineering Early Career Alumni Council. The council was formed to help engage alumni who have completed their degrees in the last 10 years and to strengthen the recruitment, retention and placement of students in the college.

The goals of the council are to provide the college with advice, to create and lead a larger engineering alumni organization, and to keep early career leaders connected to the college.

The council is made up of a maximum of 36 recent engineering graduates nominated by the college. The council members are also members of the Arkansas Alumni Association. Members serve a three-year term and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The council members come from all over the United States and represent each engineering department.

The council currently includes 14 members: Andrew Bailey, B.S.Cmp. 2007, M.S.Cmp. 2009; Kevin Carlson, B.S.M.E. 2011; Tavis Clemmer, B.S.E.E. 2011; Jordan Greenlee, B.S.E.E. 2009; Rhet Heeb, B.S.Ch.E. 2009; Zach Heller, M.S.B.M.E. 2013; Monica Jones, B.S.M.E. 2012; Wiwat Leebhaisomboon, B.S.Cmp. 2009, M.S.Cmp. 2011; Lauren Moore, B.S.E.E. 2009, M.S.E.E. 2011; Kevin Oden, B.S.I.E. 2007, M.B.A. 2011; Ben Onukwube, B.S.Cmp. 2011; Karna Singh, B.S.Cmp. 2010; and Adam White, B.S.C.E. 2008.

The inaugural meeting of the council took place on March 7 in John A. White Engineering Hall. At the meeting, the council announced Ben Onukwube as the incoming committee chair, approved the bylaws and developed key action items. They focused on ways that early career alumni can get connected with students to help prepare them for their future careers. The council members also provided feedback to John English, dean of the College of Engineering, and other engineering staff concerning their college experience, their preparedness entering their careers, their connection to the college and the university and their expectations for the council.

"This council is a valuable resource for the College of Engineering and for our students," said dean English. "It was so great to see these recent graduates return to engage with their alma mater and share their knowledge and energy with us. I look forward to working closely with this group, and I'm sure we'll accomplish many great things."

Brandy Cox, the associate vice chancellor for alumni affairs and director of the Alumni Association, also attended the meeting to discuss ways that the council and the Alumni Association can work together to create a larger engineering alumni association.