Alumni in the Classroom

Have you ever considered sharing your passion for your career with an engaged group of students? As part of the U of R’s 50th anniversary Alumni Week celebrations, we encourage you to sign up for our Alumni in the Classroom Speaker Series.  

Alumni in the Classroom is an engaging volunteer initiative that brings accomplished alumni back to campus to share their experiences and insights with current students. These speakers, who have excelled in various fields, provide valuable perspectives on career paths, industry trends, and personal growth. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with successful professionals and gain inspiration for their own journeys. 

Not in Regina? No problem! We can arrange a hybrid opportunity. Interested? Fill out the form that corresponds to you below and our Alumni Engagement Officer will contact you with more information.

The speaker series will run during our 50th Anniversary Alumni Week from October 21st to 25th, 2024. 

What is Alumni in the Classroom?

Alumni in the Classroom is a volunteer opportunity for professors to invite alumni into their classrooms to share their U of R experience and journey into their professional career all while inspiring students! Alumni can participate in the classroom as (but not limited to) speakers, panelists, instructors or facilitators.

How can I sign up for Alumni in the Classroom?

Fill out our sign up form above and one of our Alumni Engagement Officers will contact you with more information and to pair you with a class/alumni.

Who can I contact for more information?

You can reach out to our Alumni Relations Office at uralumni@uregina.ca and one of our staff would be happy to answer any questions or provide more information.

Alumni

I have a specific class and/or professor in mind that I would like to speak to. Can I reach out to them directly?

In the sign up form, there is space for you to add particular classes you would like to speak in or professors you would like to connect with. We will try to accommodate as many requests as possible depending on course availability and professor preference.

How can I prepare for my Alumni in the Classroom opportunity?

Communicate with the professor you have been matched with to understand their expectations, the format of the presentation, and to confirm final details. If you are asked to instruct content (or volunteer to), ensure that you are prepared in advance with relevant presentation slides, printouts, documents to share virtually with the class, etc. Check in with the professor to ensure that your content is applicable to what should be covered in the class.

What can I expect during my Alumni in the Classroom opportunity?

You can expect students to want to engage with you and your materials, and to learn from your lived experience! They would be excited to hear about your career, professional journey, personal and employment goals, and more. Expect time for presenting as well as questions and discussions (dependent on the professor’s expectations of the class period). This is a great volunteer opportunity to connect directly with students and share your experiences.

I’ve completed my Alumni in the Classroom opportunity. What now?

You will receive a short email survey from University Advancement asking about your experience and any successes or challenges that you faced. The survey is optional, though we encourage you to fill it out to the best of your ability to improve future programming!

Faculty

Do I have to find an Alumni in the Classroom speaker?

No, we can match you with a good fit! However, if you do have someone in mind, we are happy to reach out to them. Once you fill out the sign up form, one of our Alumni Engagement Officers will reach out to you to connect you with an alum who would be interested in speaking to your class, or to the potential alumni listed in your form response. From there, all you have to do is lay out expectations and let the alum know if there is anything specific you would like them to teach, speak about, etc. We will meet the alum and ensure that they make it to your class prepared and on time.

I have a specific alum in mind that I would like to speak to. Can I reach out to them directly?

In the faculty sign up form above there is space for you to add particular alumni you would like to connect with. We will try to accommodate as many requests as possible depending on alumni availability and interest in participating.

What are the benefits of this program?

It can be incredibly beneficial for students to hear from someone who has been successful in their chosen career path. Students often walk away from these presentations inspired, excited, and reinvigorated about their field. It can also be a great chance for students to ask questions about how someone got to where they are now, if their path hasn’t been as expected, or what the career they are interested in looks like day-to-day. We’re happy to facilitate these conversations with some of our amazing alums!