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PERSONNEL

STRENGTHENING THE SENECA COMMUNITY

Ana White Vice President, External

In May, Ana White joined Seneca as Vice President, External. She brings an extensive background in advancement, marketing, major fundraising campaigns and organizational branding. As Ana reflects on her first months at Seneca, she shares her thoughts on Seneca's culture, fundraising for King Campus and connecting with alumni and industry partners.

Since joining Seneca, what are your first impressions? I have been struck by the strong sense of commitment, passion and pride I have encountered. Providing the best education and student experience is at the top of every meeting agenda and informs all of our thinking and planning. There are so many wonderful stories of students of all ages and backgrounds who have been able to reinvent themselves and transform their lives, thanks to their experiences at Seneca.

Another thing that has impressed me is how attuned our faculty is to working with industry to support mutual priorities. We are forging innovative partnerships with companies to tackle industry challenges, create invaluable learning opportunities, and conduct ground-breaking research, locally and globally.

We are also pioneering an exciting new model for postsecondary institutions in Canada and around the world. And we offer the nimbleness and foresight to work with industry to tailor our curriculum to produce job-ready graduates in areas of high demand.

What project will you be tackling first? One of the most exciting initiatives I am working on is the campaign to raise funds to expand King Campus. The Campus was designed for 1,500 students, and is now home to more than double that. Needless to say we are bursting at the seams. The vision for King's future provides for much-needed classrooms and new athletic and student space that will really enhance the student experience at this beautiful and unique campus.

Our students have already pledged more than $20 million towards this project, and we are turning to the community to help match this incredible commitment with $20 million of support. I look forward to connecting with our alumni to discuss how they can help us meet this target.

How can the College's robust alumni community help build Seneca for the future? Alumni are a big part of the Seneca family, and they play a critical role in our success. A big priority will be to invite them to engage with us in various ways.

As role models, I would encourage alumni to share their stories: Tell us about that great teacher that changed your life. How did it feel to win a championship with the Sting? If you were an international student, how did you acclimatize to life in Canada?

Alumni can also help students by being a mentor, volunteering for the alumni association, hiring grads or co-op students, partnering on applied research and by offering financial support to those in need.

Finally, I would encourage alumni to tell us what information and services can help them the most. We want to make sure that every communication is meaningful and that we celebrate their many accomplishments.

42 RED 2015