The quarterly newsletter of Princeton AlumniCorps | Summer 2024

Greetings!

I want to thank the AlumniCorps staff, Board, volunteers and most importantly, you, our donors and supporters for a very successful 2023-24 year. In spite of our collective grief over the loss of several beloved 55ers and a vital member of our staff, our small but mighty team rose to the occasion; launching new program strategies, successfully leading three civic leadership cohorts across six states, conducting vital research for our next strategic plan, revamping our website and communications graphics, hosting AlumniCorps’ first annual Open House: Fellowship, Leadership and You, and paying reverence to AlumniCorps’ Class of 1955 founders in our online 55er’s Tribute & Celebration; all in support of our mission to advance civic engagement and community sustainability. 

As Executive Director, I am incredibly proud of the work we do in Princeton and across the country. I'm also excited about the new opportunities on the horizon in this upcoming program year. Be sure to visit our new 55er Tribute page at AlumniCorps.org and stay tuned for news on our next strategic plan this year.

Thank you again for believing in the work of Princeton AlumniCorps.Together, we are driving change for the greater good.

In community,

Kimme Carlos

Executive Director

PICS Summer Intern Joins Staff Part-Time

Talia Goldman '27

Talia Goldman joined Princeton AlumniCorps as the 2024 Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS) intern. Residing in Highland Park, New Jersey, Talia is a member of Princeton’s Class of 2027, studying the History of Art in the Department of Art and Archaeology. She is also passionate about education and teaching. During her internship, Talia enjoyed learning about programs and development at AlumniCorps.

On campus, Talia works as a Digital Imaging Specialist at the Visual Resources Collection in the Department of Art and Archaeology. In her free time, she enjoys visiting museums, practicing calligraphy, and taking walks with her family.

Project 55 Alum Reflects with AlumniCorps

Attorney Brittany Sanders Robb ’13, a 2013-2014 Project 55 Fellow, reflected on her past Fellowship experience and its impact on her current civic engagement:

"Giving back has always been integral to my life. Using my law degree to advocate for justice and effect change in the community through aviation and product safety improvements has been fulfilling. Staying engaged helps me connect with new leaders and ideas in the legal community.

My P55 fellowship was my first experience in the legal field, and it's come full circle:  as I write this, I am actually in the middle of a trial in the New York Supreme Court, right across the street from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which was where I did my P55 fellowship.  During my fellowship, I was able to connect with different types of professionals, including lawyers practicing in various fields.  This experience was pivotal for me as a first generation college student.  The mentors I connected with during my fellowship helped me apply to law school and gave me invaluable advice on how to use my law degree for the greater good.”

Brittany’s advice to current fellows: “Find something that aligns with your passions and interests, and never settle. It’s okay to explore different opportunities. Get involved in your community, even if it’s not your forever home. Start small and increase your involvement as you become more comfortable. Make the most of all P55 opportunities—luncheons, events, and mentorship. It’s a unique chance to learn from exceptional community leaders early in your career.”

Princeton AlumniCorps' Annual Open House

AlumniCorps held its inaugural 1st Annual Open House event: Fellowship, Leadership, and You! on Thursday, May 23rd at our office located at 12 Stockton Street. The event was well attended by current and former board members, program alumni, and newcomers eager to learn more. The atmosphere was filled with energy and excitement as Scott McVay ’55, President of the Princeton University Class of 1955 Foundation, Inc., made a special announcement about its largest legacy gift to Princeton AlumniCorps.

The AlumniCorps staff and Board of Directors recognize and honor the members of the Class of 1955, affectionately known as the 55ers, for their passion and commitment to the creation of Princeton Project 55, now known as Princeton AlumniCorps. Visit our new 55er Tribute page to learn more.

Princeton AlumniCorps Staff Outing

In early July, the AlumniCorps staff enjoyed a much-needed office outing to the beautiful Grounds for Sculpture. After a busy year, it was refreshing to take a break from our screens and spend time together outdoors. The outing offered a chance to reflect and appreciate the art and nature surrounding us. Despite the heat, we had a wonderful time exploring the grounds and creating lasting memories as a team. It was a fantastic way to bond and recharge, and we look forward to making more memorable moments together in the upcoming fiscal year.

Senior Admin Officer Position Opening

Thank You to our 2024

Donors & Supporters

Project 55 Fellowship Program

Congratulations to our newest cohort of 2024-2025 Project 55 Fellows! Princeton AlumniCorps recently welcomed this milestone 35th Anniversary cohort. This achievement honors our founders’ legacy, underscores the importance of civic leadership development, and reflects our ongoing commitment to the civically-minded professionals embarking on their fellowship journey through Project 55.

Chicago Area Committee and Fellows end of year social get together, Spring 2024. Pictured are Fellows and Princeton Area Committee Members (from left to right): Felix Huang '07, Katie Cappola '23, Annabelle Mauri '23, Rebecca Deaton '91, Kaitlyn Williams '22, Caleb Kennedy '14, Vicky Escalante '22. 

Project 55 is guided by a dedicated and passionate program team committed to delivering a robust and meaningful fellowship experience. Our team leverages insights from previous participants, civic learning scholarship, and our extensive program network to support professional growth for our fellows in the social impact sector and beyond.

As we welcome our newest cohort of P55 Fellows, we also celebrate the conclusion of a remarkable year for the current cohort. The 2023-2024 P55 Fellows have demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in their roles with social impact organizations across the country. They have contributed to projects and initiatives that advance the missions of our partner organizations and foster positive outcomes for the communities they serve.

Boston Area Committee and Fellows connect over a meal! Pictured are Fellows Samantha Chin ‘23, Audrey Czuchna ‘23, Jaein Jung, and Ruby Guo.

If you’re a Project 55 alum or a member of our volunteer network and are interested in contributing to the learning and leadership development of our fellows, please email Tim Schmidt, Director of Programs and Strategy, at Tschmidt@alumnicorps.org. Our team is seeking volunteers to energize our Project 55 fellowship by joining Area Committees, facilitating peer-consulting spaces, organizing Affinity Groups, and speaking at our quarterly virtual seminars.

If you are interested in becoming a Project 55 mentor this year, please contact Laissa Gibson, Program Coordinator of Fellowship Engagement, at Lgibson@alumnicorps.org.

Emerging Leaders Program

We are thrilled to share some exciting updates and highlights from the Emerging Leaders Program. As highlighted in our last shared effort, the Emerging Leader NYC 2023-24 program has successfully concluded, and our participants have demonstrated remarkable growth and dedication. Their hard work and commitment have led to significant achievements, evident in the impressive data and success stories from this cohort.

Similarly, at the end of May, our NJ Department of Health cohort of Emerging Leaders completed their journey with outstanding success. The participants’ achievements and the impact of their work are also reflected in the data we’ve gathered, showcasing their dedication and the positive outcomes of the program.

As we look forward to the 2024-25 cycle of Emerging Leaders, we are excited about the new opportunities and curriculum adaptations this year! The upcoming program promises to bring fresh ideas, innovative stretch projects, and enriched learning experiences for our participants.

The application cycle for 2024-25 has closed, and our team is now selecting the most promising candidates for this transformative experience.

We are pleased to announce that two '24 Emerging Leaders alumni, Anita Lederer and Yasmine Dyson, have volunteered to assist with interviewing prospective candidates. Thank you, Anita and Yasmine, for your invaluable support in shaping the next generation of leaders!

If you are an Emerging Leaders alum, we invite you to stay connected by joining our exclusive Emerging Leaders LinkedIn group. This platform allows alumni to connect, share insights, and stay updated on the latest news and events.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the Emerging Leaders Program. We look forward to another successful year ahead.

Steve Boyd '55

May 1, 1934 – April 7, 2024

Princeton AlumniCorps mourns the loss of people who have contributed their time, talent, and treasure to the organization over the past thirty years. We share the obituaries of volunteers and supporters to celebrate their dedication to civic engagement. Princeton AlumniCorps supporters can read classmate memorials and timely class news on the class website.

For any additional questions regarding joining the Sustainers Circle or making a gift, please contact the Development team at development@alumnicorps.org