Judith M. Cole, associate vice president for university advancement and director of alumni relations at Carnegie Mellon University, is set to become the next executive vice president and chief executive officer of the MIT Alumni Association in early August.
"The Alumni Association volunteer leadership and I could not be happier that Judy has agreed to take on the position of EVP," says Kenneth Wang '71, who begins his tenure as president of the MIT Alumni Association July 1. "We believe that the yearlong selection process has led us to an outstanding candidate for this key position. Judy's wealth of experience at the highest level of the educational community will hold her, and us, in good stead as we move into a changeable, yet exciting, future."
Cole has worked in roles of increasing responsibility in alumni relations for two respected institutions, first at Yale University for 17 years and then at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) for the past five years. At CMU, she revitalized the alumni relations program in anticipation of a major fundraising campaign. She worked to strengthen the alumni board and to increase alumni engagement. As the director of education and services of the Association of Yale Alumni, she focused on educational programs, graduate school alumni relations, liaisons with alumni offices in Yale's 11 professional schools and the development of revenue-producing programs.
Throughout these experiences, Cole has sought to strengthen the connection between an institution and its alumni by increasing participation in social and intellectual events, encouraging activities such as mentoring students, and reaching out during annual giving campaigns.
"Alumni relations is about community building. Through the partnership of volunteers and staff, the campus community is expanded to become a university community that incorporates alumni into the life of the institution. Alumni are not an external audience--they are part of the family," says Cole, who was a colleague of President Susan Hockfield's when both held positions at Yale. "President Hockfield is an extraordinary community builder. The opportunity to work with her again and to contribute to this remarkable educational community is a great gift. I am honored and humbled by the confidence of the Alumni Association Board."
Cole earned a master's degree in public and private management at the Yale School of Management and a bachelor's in business administration at the University of Colorado. She held positions at the Boston Consulting Group, AT&T Bell Laboratories and Texas Commerce Bank early in her career.
"The news that Judy Cole agreed to be the CEO and executive vice president of the Alumni Association made my day!" says MIT Alumni Association President Toni Schuman '58. "After a long search, I know we've found absolutely the best person to lead our incredible staff and engage the 120,000 living alumni around the world."
Learn more about Judy Cole.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on June 3, 2009 (download PDF).
