The Advisory Council for Inclusive Engagement

History

The Advisory Council for Inclusive Engagement is a national volunteer body that provides strategic insight and feedback to the University of Rochester on fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all alumni and students.

Specifically, the Council:
• Identifies opportunities to enhance alumni and student engagement across a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Serves as a central advisory body for alumni groups organized around shared interests and identities.
• Reviews and advises on initiatives that promote equitable access to university resources, networks, and opportunities for alumni and students.

Mission

The mission of the Advisory Council for Inclusive Engagement is to foster meaningful connections among alumni and students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The Council leverages its collective insight, energy, and resources to support the University of Rochester in cultivating a welcoming and collaborative environment that reflects the richness of its community.

Vision

To cultivate a University community that is welcoming and respectful of all alumni and students, embracing a wide spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives—regardless of age, background, identity, ability, belief, or worldview.

Objectives

To advance this vision, the Advisory Council for Inclusive Engagement collaborates with University Advancement and campus partners to:

  1. Support the University in fostering a welcoming and respectful environment for all members of its community.
  2. Help establish and advise alumni networks organized around shared interests, experiences, and professional or personal connections.
  3. Assess the evolving needs and aspirations of alumni and students through individual outreach, focus groups, and benchmarking practices.
  4. Collect and maintain updated alumni data to inform engagement strategies, building on insights from the 2019 Alumni Census project.
  5. Expand participation in volunteer opportunities and University events by engaging alumni from a broad range of backgrounds.
  6. Develop a sustainable strategy for Meliora Weekend programming that reflects the richness and diversity of the University community.

Co-chairs

Curtis Johnson ’88

Noah Pizmony-Levy Drezner ’00

Members

Douglas Austin ’98 ’04S (MBA)

Ashley Campbell ’09, ’10W (MS)

Tanya Chanphanitpornkit ’15E

Jessica Colorado ’12, ’20W (MS)

Lance Drummond ’85S (MBA)*

Rachel Fisher ’91 PA’25

Melvin Fowler Foster ’89E

Paul Gamble ’79

Josh Goldberg ’03S (MBA)

Jamal Holtz ’20

Anika S. Johnson ’18W (EdD)

Monique Mendes ’18M (MS), ’20M (PhD)

Rodney Morrison ’91, ’92W (MS)

Catherine Thy Nguyen-Martinez ’08

Lizette Pérez-Deisboeck ’87*

Iveth Reynolds ’12S (MBA)

Tiffany Taylor ’91

Past chairs

Lizette Pérez-Deisboeck ’87*

Lance Drummond ’85S (MBA)*

*Trustee

 

For more information, please contact the Senior Director of Affinity Networks and Programs, Nkiruka McGinnis, at nmcginn2@ur.rochester.edu