At the beginning of the new year, the College of Biological Sciences welcomed its new alumni relations manager, Lyndsay Stevens. An alum of the University of Minnesota twice over, Stevens draws on her own love for her alma mater to connect with fellow alumni. Before joining CBS, she served as the associate director of alumni relations at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She shared her thoughts on her new role, what makes her proud to be a UofM alum and the opportunities she sees to engage CBS alumni.
How did you find your way to alumni relations?
In truth, it found me! As an undergraduate, I thought I would pursue a career in healthcare. After graduating, I pivoted to law. Along the way, I realized that I get a lot of satisfaction from building relationships and hearing people’s stories. Connecting with alumni naturally aligns with those interests. I’m also passionate about higher education. Promoting the positive impact our alumni have in the state of Minnesota and around the world is a wonderful part of the work I do!
You are a two-time alum of the University of Minnesota. What makes you most proud to be a Gopher?
So many things make me proud to call the University of Minnesota “home,” including the commitment to preparing students to succeed in the world and teaching them how they can maximize their skills to serve our communities. The emphasis on belonging and the embrace of diversity in both people and ideas are also values embraced by this institution that are important to me. And of course the incredible legacy of discovery is a source of great pride. Not only do we owe the first open heart surgeries and several organ and bone marrow transplants to our UMN researchers - they are also responsible for my favorite types of apples! In my free time, you can definitely find me cheering on our Gopher sports teams from my couch and in the stands. Ski-U-Mah!
You’ve been in the college since just after the start of the new year. First impressions?
I have had a great experience in my first weeks at CBS. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and most importantly, they are very passionate about the great work the faculty, students and alumni are doing. Also, it’s fun being based on the St. Paul campus. I am enjoying the bucolic vibes. This has been a nice change of pace and I look forward to enjoying some ice cream once the weather warms up!
What opportunities do you see to engage alumni here in CBS?
There are too many opportunities to list! This is such a wonderful, engaged community and our alumni have their hands in such important work. Dean DeWalt's dedication to CBS alumni and her commitment to advancing alumni relations attracted me to this opportunity. She actively seeks ways to engage with a diverse range of CBS alumni, including those with undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and dual degrees. Her enthusiasm in this area is truly refreshing, and I am excited about the possibilities we can explore together. There’s already a lot in the works for this spring so stay tuned!
What are you looking forward to as you learn more about the college?
I am eager to serve as a resource for alumni, facilitating various opportunities for their continued engagement with CBS. My goal is to create diverse avenues for peer-to-peer networking, industry collaborations and student connections. I look forward to traveling across Minnesota meeting with alums, visiting conservatories and field stations, and sharing the college’s efforts at finding solutions that enhance human health and environmental well-being on local, national, and global scales.