I'm excited to introduce (and in certain cases, re-introduce) myself to all of you, this time as your Alumni Association Chair.
For those of you who knew me as a student, this role is, perhaps, the last place you imagined us reconnecting (I'd readily second that sentiment). While I've always struggled to accurately define my relationship with CPS, the more time I've spent away from the School, the more I realize (and embrace) how truly unique and special of an experience it was for me. It's quite easy to forget just how transformative CPS was for many of us as we navigated the excitement and awkwardness of our own personal high school journeys.
While I'm still very much in the early stages of understanding my charge and how I can best engage with the alumni community, I've been told that if I'm doing my job well, you will be hearing from me a lot more. In that vein, I'd like to extend the offer to catch-up with anyone who is interested in hearing updates or engaging with the School in a renewed capacity. Or maybe you just want to say "hi." That's totally cool, too. Either way, I hope to connect with as many of you as possible!
Matt
There are many ways alumni can give their time and share their expertise with College Prep and our student community.
Interested in Volunteering? There are several ways to get involved. If any of the opportunities below interest you, contact the Director of Alumni Relations with questions or for more information: 510.420.6186 or cindy@college-prep.org. Or fill out this form.
Gifts to the College Prep Alumni Annual Fund are essential in helping to bring all aspects of school life to fruition. We are grateful for the dedicated volunteers who work with the Alumni and Advancement Offices to promote the importance of philanthropy among alumni.
Do you have a knack for fundraising and connection? If so, you can volunteer to be an Alumni Annual Fund representative and help make an impact, email alumni@college-prep.org for more information.
Excited for Reunion this year? Help rally your class as a Class Rep. This is an excellent way to reconnect classmates and to be part of the planning process for your milestone event.
Current students are always interested in hearing from our alumni about their professions and the various pathways into their careers. We are looking for alumni who would like to volunteer to be on one of our upcoming career panels. If you’d be interested in participating, please fill out this form or email cindy@college-prep.org.
Common Classroom is a weekly class open to current students, faculty, and staff that features a rotating set of engaging, ungraded learning opportunities. Teachers, students, and alumni may lead or participate in activities, classes, and workshops across a range of ever-changing offerings that include relaxing art projects, political discussions, physical pursuits, and career paths!
This affinity group came about as a result of a direct ask by current BSU students for more meaningful and longer-term engagement with alumni. Unlike the Common Classroom program where College Prep alumni can share their passions and journeys since leaving high school, this affinity space serves to connect students with a broad range of alumni to specifically discuss the challenges and emotions they are experiencing as Black students at College Prep.
Connections, Pride, and Spirit Day is an annual event each January for the entire College Prep community to come together and learn about a common topic centered around equity and belonging. CPS Day is organized by the Student Equity Action Team and the Office of Equity and Belonging and features speakers from both within and outside our community.
Do you work in social or environmental justice? Would you be interested in connecting with student groups as they go through the design process for their own impact projects, or in inviting a group of students to consult on a project for an organization with which you're affiliated? We have several opportunities for alumni involvement.
The College Prep STEM program continues to immerse talented Sophomores and Juniors in the many facets that make up the wider world of STEM research. A cornerstone of the program is the summer internship, a four to eight week hands on placement in Labs, academic units, and both for- and non-profit entities across the bay area. We are continually looking for the assistance of College Prep alumni, parents, and their networks to help us find placements for the STEM students, and indeed the many other College Prep students who possess a deep interest in STEM research. The students are excited and well prepared to join a research lab or other type of team, having spent a semester learning about research ethics, decoding academic journals, and basic biostatistical coding in addition to their other sciences classes. They have embedded with labs at UC Berkeley, UCSF, and many other institutions where mentors constantly sing their praises.
With nearly 900 members, College Prep’s LinkedIn Alumni Group is a great resource for connecting with classmates, engaging in career-related discussion forums, learning about job opportunities, and joining industry-specific subgroups. All Alumni are encouraged to join.
Got Mail? Have you moved? Parents, tired of getting your graduate's mail? Do we have your current email? We want to stay in touch! If you or your graduate has new contact information, please fill out this formor email alumni@college-prep.org.
Request a Transcript Please contact Lisie Harlow, College Counseling Assistant/Academic Data Manager, at lisie@college-prep.org.