Give Back to the World

Marie "Toni" Alejandria 

CASE District VII Gold Award
CAAA Chapter and Network Leader Conference
Alumni Relations Program: Volunteer Engagement and Leadership

Day Job
Regional Chapter Programs Administrator
Cal Aggie Alumni Association
University of California, Davis

Evening Job
Dancer and choreographer

If History Came to Dinner...
Richard Avedon, Gene Wilder, Plato, King David and Noel Coward.

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who used their skills to give back to the world through art and advocacy.

CASE Dream
I would love to see CAAA continue to blaze the trail in alumni relations through programming and engagement and be able to share best practices with other universities.

Favorite Quote
"Dance first. Think later. It’s the natural order." – Samuel Beckett

Best Practice
It's important to build relationships with the people you work with, whether co-workers or volunteers. Establishing your personal and professional network will provide a foundation and help you succeed in whatever you strive to accomplish.

Golden Graduates

Leticia Lozoya

Day Job
Alumni Programs Coordinator
California State University, Long Beach

CASE District VII Gold Award
Golden Graduates Program
Alumni Relations: New Program Initiatives

Inspired By
My brother reminds me every day to do what makes me happy and success will come along with it. In challenging times he remains positive and keeps a smile on his face.

Greatest Victory
One of my greatest victories since coming into this profession is helping establish our Golden Graduates Program. It has been a great pleasure to create opportunities for our alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago to reconnect with each other and with the university.

Favorite Quote
"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle." —Christian D. Larson

My Best Practice
Sometimes to ask a quick question, rather than e-mail, I like to pick up the phone and call. Quick conversations over the phone can go a long way in building great relationships.

Family Tree Challenge

John Carothers

CASE District VII Gold Award
Family Tree Challenge
Alumni Relations: Special Constituencies

Day Job
Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations University of Nevada, Reno Executive Director University of Nevada, Reno Foundation

Evening Job
Telling stories to my sons Ian and Sean.

Inspired By
Students overcoming obstacles to complete their education.

If History Came to Dinner...
Lyndon Johnson, Tip O’Niell, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Raquel Welch

Little Known Fact
I am a Trekkie.

My Best Practice
I personally sign gift acknowledgement letters and write personalized notes. I try to be hi-tech yet as personal as I can be.