Engagement

Grow Lasting Connections

The Office of Engagement builds lifelong relationships by encouraging alumni, parents, friends, and organizations to get involved, stay informed, and invest in UVA by providing over 1,100 in-person and digital events for nearly 30,000 registrations annually in communities worldwide. Highlights include:

  • Comprehensive programming created in partnership with the Office of the President, Admission, Athletics, Equity and Diversity, Student Affairs, University Career Services, Schools, Centers, and Foundations
  • Annual giving fundraising strategies that help increase donor participation and philanthropic support
  • Coordination of GivingToHoosDay, the University’s twenty-four hour day of giving that raised $4.4 million in 2018
  • Pan-University annual joint strategic planning on behalf of the president’s office, which raised $1.7 million in the fiscal year 2017

The Office of Engagement was established in 2005 as a division of University Advancement, and includes 28 University staff members, 55 student employees and over 1,200 alumni, parent and student volunteers. They coordinate with the University’s independent Alumni Association which produces the following engagement offerings: Alumni Interest Groups, Alumni Career Services, Homecoming/Reunions, Legacy Admissions, Student Class programs and the Virginia Magazine.

Programs

Athletic Activities

  • UVA game watching, tailgates & pre-game socials
  • UVA Championship and Bowl game fan events
  • Recreational leagues & professional sport outings

Intellectual and Cultural Activities

  • Lectures with faculty, staff, coaches & alumni
  • Personal enrichment classes & book clubs
  • Museum, art gallery and performing arts tours

Professional Networking & Social Events

  • Welcome to the City events & happy hours
  • Professional industry and corporate networking events
  • Roasts, galas, holiday parties & BBQs
  • Community specific programming for identity communities—black alumni, parents, young alumni, and families

Student Outreach

  • Jefferson Book Awards for high school juniors
  • Congratulatory calls
  • April Accepted Student receptions
  • Summer Student send-off events
  • UVA Express and Welcome Dinner for international students & parents
  • Student Ambassadors

Volunteer Service

  • Cavaliers Care Community Service
  • Volunteer leadership in over 140 networks throughout the world

UVA Faculty Lectures

  • Engaging the Mind community lectures in Virginia
  • More than the Score pre-football game lectures
  • Reunions Academic Seminars with the Alumni Association
  • Partner with UVA Clubs, schools, centers & community agencies to offer faculty lectures

Extended Learning Programs

  • Summer Jefferson Symposium – Program reflecting on Jeffersonian ideals and life stories
  • One-Day UVA – day-long in-depth learning experiences
  • UVA at Oxford Seminar – week-long educational adventure at Oxford University
  • Jefferson in Paris Seminar—week-long exploration of
  • Thomas Jefferson’s time in Paris as US Ambassador

Online Resources

  • Online research library of academic, business & health databases including journals, magazines & business book summaries
  • Faculty lecture podcasts – recorded talks that can be access from anywhere
  • Thoughts From the Lawn blog - intellectual thoughts posted by faculty
  • Learning Loop email newsletter showcasing programs, events and resources

Recognition Events

  • Annual Outstanding Faculty Speaker awards and appreciation events throughout the year

Althea Brooks, Senior Director

Trips include professional local guides, insider access, receptions with local alumni and parents, and pre-trip readings and literature. Recent and upcoming trips include:

  • Cuba, Ernest Ern
  • Cuba, Lisa Reilly
  • Holland, Larry Goedde
  • Mississippi River Tour
  • Iceland, Steve Cushman
  • Southwest National Parks, Reggie Garrett
  • South Africa, Ian Baucom
  • Alaska, Fred Diehl
  • Scotland, Lisa Reilly
  • Machu Picchu & Galapagos, David Gies
  • Mystical India, Lisa Reilly
  • Burma Service Trip
  • Spain & Portugal, David Gies
  • Tahiti & Bora Bora
  • Tanzania
  • Panama & Costa Rica
  • Columbia & Snake Rivers
  • Souther Intaly & Sicily
  • Canadian Rockies Parks and Resorts
  • Iceland
  • Baltic Sea
  • Ireland
  • Vietnam

Kevin Conley, Senior Director

  • Plans and implements the University Giving Day (GivingToHoosDay) in partnership with University Annual Giving and schools and units throughout the University
  • Coordinates digital communication strategies for the Office of Engagement and with staff from UVA Clubs, Alumni & Parent Travel, Lifetime Learning, and University Annual Giving
  • Manages pan-university internal marketing and communication calendar
  • Co-manages alumni.virginia.edu website with Alumni Association
  • Manages HoosNetwork an online hub for original articles, photos, and videos from UVA alumni bloggers  Promotes digital marketing initiatives and engagement tools
  • Manages Volunteer Digital Ambassador program who source and share content
  • Manages pan-university Volunteer Clearinghouse database

Patrick Stanley, Director

  • Develops and executes the UVA Direct Marketing Plan 
  • Develops the annual giving direct marketing and telemarketing strategies for more than 20 partners across Grounds
  • Fundraises for The Virginia Fund
  • Provides direct marketing, analytical, and logistical support for GivingToHoosDay
  • Produces University-wide reporting on annual giving and engagement metrics
  • Produces semiannual alumni impact reports for schools on annual giving and engagement activity
  • Collaborates on the Annual Giving Community of Practice
  • Provides data analysis, copy, editing, and recommendations for engagement efforts
Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice innovate and learn through discussions, joint activities, and sharing information and resources. The Engagement team leads two:

  • The Alumni Relations & Engagement Community of Practice is focused on optimal engagement of UVA alumni, parents, and friends. Learn more.
  • The Annual Giving Community of Practice shares and discusses best practices on a wide array of annual giving topics. Learn more.
Team