We are excited to share an update on our work over the last 18 months to restructure the Semester at Sea Alumni Association, with the goal of building a more sustainable alumni organization for the future. As you may know, the structure and process of the former Alumni Association have been undergoing review and changes over the last year, and we are now at the concluding stages of planning for the new structure of the SAS Alumni Association.
Before diving into these changes, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the incredible alumni and past members of the Alumni Association Leadership and Board of Directors (AAL & AABOD) for their time and dedication. We also extend special thanks to the Alumni Engagement Task Force, a group of 12 stakeholders, including SAS alumni representing students, faculty, staff, Lifelong Learners, and international and parental perspectives, along with members of the Home Office. Over the course of 2024, this task force worked diligently to research, plan, and design the new SAS Alumni Association.
We are equally grateful to those who participated in the survey and contributed valuable feedback during our listening tours. Your input has had a profound impact on shaping this new direction.
In the following Question & Answer (Q&A) section, we address many aspects of the changes, the new structure, and the plans for the SAS Alumni Association moving forward. Key highlights include:
- Simplification of the alumni association’s structure to better foster alumni engagement and impact.
- Collaborative research and planning involving 12 alumni and ISE staff.
- Opportunities to apply for the new Alumni Association Advisory Committee.
- Enhancement of alumni communication and connection—the cornerstone of the new model.
Read on to learn more about these exciting developments and the bright future ahead!
Q&A on Alumni Updates
Q: Why are changes being made?
A: The need to simplify and streamline our Alumni Association structure has been evident for some time. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how the previous structure was overly complex and, likely, unsustainable. While many alumni were enthusiastic about sharing ideas, fewer were able to commit the time needed to consistently implement them. Additionally, some initiatives from the AAL were not always aligned with the priorities of ISE, as the AAL operated more independently. Often, these ideas exceeded the resources available within the Home Office. For these reasons, a new structure was necessary to ensure long-term success.
Q: What was the process for determining these changes?
A: Throughout 2024, the Alumni Engagement Task Force—comprising 12 SAS stakeholders, including alumni from various groups, Home Office staff, and representatives with international and parental perspectives—conducted thorough research to identify the best model for the Alumni Association’s future.
This research included:
- Benchmarking best practices from university alumni and nonprofit organizations.
- Reviewing historical SAS models.
- Analyzing survey responses from over 1,000 alumni across all voyages.
- Hosting listening tours with stakeholders, from recent alumni to board members.
- Engaging in strategic discussions to develop an effective framework.
The findings informed the development of a streamlined, sustainable structure.
Q: What were the key findings?
A: The research revealed that the previous structure, with its numerous councils and groups, was overly complex, which sometimes hindered communication and efficiency. Initially, the Alumni Association had a simpler structure, but, over time, additional councils and layers were added, unintentionally creating barriers to effective management and collaboration.
The Task Force also identified a need for clear goals and a concise mission to guide the association. Feedback from alumni underscored the importance of streamlined communication and enhanced staff guidance, which will be supported by the new digital platform, Almabase. The listening tours revealed excitement about the newly proposed structure and approach, and the entire Task Force research process reiterated the strength and passion of our alumni community.
Q: What is the new mission for the alumni association?
A: The mission is to “create a broad-based alumni engagement program that appeals to our diverse alumni community of 74,000+, with an organizational and volunteer structure that is manageable and sustainable.”
Q: What will the new leadership structure look like?
A: The SAS Alumni Association will now feature a central Alumni Association Advisory Committee of 8–12 members. This committee, selected through an application process, will serve as the hub for alumni activities and initiatives. Members will serve staggered terms of 1–3 years, with longer terms preferred for chairing roles.
The committee will include a Senior Co-Chair, a Junior Co-Chair, an ISE staff representative, and members representing various alumni groups such as Lifelong Learners, Faculty/Staff, Young Alumni, and Parent/Legacy voyagers. Goals will be collaboratively established with ISE to align with strategic plans and engagement initiatives.
Q: What is the timeline for rolling out the new structure?
A: Applications for the Alumni Association Advisory Committee will open in January 2025. The application process will close on February 24, 2025, with selections finalized by the end of March. The committee will officially launch in April 2025, coinciding with the rollout of the new Alumni Association framework. The official Alumni Association Advisory Committee terms will coincide with the ISE fiscal year, which runs from June 1 to May 31 each year.
Q: Who will oversee the new Alumni Association Advisory Committee?
A: Blair Klumpyan, ISE/SAS’s Director of Alumni and Donor Relations.
Q: Will there still be SAS Councils?
A: As part of the new structure, the various alumni councils will be dissolved to streamline the Alumni Association. While these councils will no longer be formally tied to ISE oversight, alumni are encouraged to stay connected through Almabase, our new digital platform. For instance, Lifelong Learners can join a dedicated page just for them. Almabase offers numerous ways to connect, network, and plan informal events with fellow alumni.
Q: What is this new digital platform?
A: Based on Task Force research, creating an easy way for alumni to communicate and connect was a priority. To address this need, ISE funded Almabase, a platform designed to bring our 74,000+ alumni together. Almabase allows users to connect by voyage, designation (e.g., Lifelong Learner, Faculty/Staff), or location. Alumni can manage their data, invite friends, read updates about current voyages, and stay informed about reunions and regional events. Almabase is a great new solution to helping keep our alumni community connected and engaged!
Q: Will local chapter events still take place? What about Chapter Reps?
A: Yes, local chapter events will continue! Surveys have highlighted the importance of local chapters, and revitalizing them will be a focus of the new Alumni Association Advisory Committee. Centralized oversight will ensure consistency, promote engagement, and support chapter events. Almabase will also make it easier for alumni to find their local chapters and connect with others nearby using its “Spaces” feature.
Q: What about informal work groups, such as the International Service Project?
A: Independent groups, such as the International Service Project, can continue their initiatives as alumni-driven efforts. Dedicated spaces within Almabase will help these groups connect with like-minded alumni and share updates. However, these spaces cannot be used for fundraising for other nonprofit organizations due to ISE’s 501(c)(3) status.
Q: What will happen with reunion planning?
A: While ISE is not organizing formal reunions, we are happy to support informal reunion planning. Reunion support will also be a priority for the Alumni Association Advisory Committee. If you’re planning a reunion, please contact ISE at alumni@isevoyages.org for help with promotion and communication. Additionally, Almabase will feature a “Reunion Planners” space to connect with others planning similar events.
Q: Will there be a homecoming voyage soon?
A: Currently, there are no plans for a homecoming voyage on the MV World Odyssey. The ship’s limited schedule and maintenance requirements prevent such an event. However, we understand the importance of a homecoming voyage and will revisit the possibility as circumstances evolve.
Q: If I can’t serve on the Alumni Association Advisory Committee, how can I still be involved?
A: We welcome your help in spreading the word about Almabase, which will launch in January 2025 as the central hub for SAS alumni. You can assist by encouraging other alumni to register and participate. Once Almabase launches, mentorship opportunities and other forms of digital engagement will also be available. Stay tuned for more details!
Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Alumni Association and Advisory Committee?
A: Please reach out to Blair Klumpyan, ISE/SAS’s Director of Alumni and Donor Relations, at bklumpyan@isevoyages.org.
Thank You!
As we transition to this new structure, we want to once again express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible engagement of our alumni over the years. Your contributions have been invaluable in building the Semester at Sea community. We hope many of you will consider joining the Alumni Association Advisory Committee or supporting the launch of Almabase. These changes will help us deliver streamlined, focused communication and enhance alumni engagement for years to come.
Sincerely,
Blair Klumpyan, Nick Hayden, Terrie Tran, and Jill Hurd