For the first time, alumni and friends of the university can see an array of options for giving back to UCCS – all through the centralized UCCS Alumni & Friends Volunteer program.
New to UCCS, the program launches this week with a goal of bringing to light opportunities for alumni to lend their time and talent to students’ success. It will also give faculty and staff an opportunity to recruit volunteers and experts to speak to students about careers, support mentorship programs and connect the Colorado Springs community to the Mountain Lion family.
“The UCCS community has been blessed to so many dedicated people who have donated their time and talents to supporting our students and programs over the years,” said Liz Bunkers, alumni relations engagement specialist with the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving.
“We are very excited to officially launch this new volunteer program and website for our campus. After months of behind-the-scenes work across our entire campus, we can now offer a means of connection between UCCS and our community in a whole new way.”
Alumni and interested community members can create a volunteer profile, discover upcoming volunteer opportunities and track their completed volunteer hours. UCCS faculty and staff can work with the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving to post opportunities and recruit volunteers for special programs, including classroom engagement, career mentorship and more.
Sabrina Wienholtz, director of student clubs, organization and leadership, has experienced the impact the volunteer program can have on her work through the LIVE Leadership program.
“Connecting with the Alumni and Friends Volunteer Program to cultivate a group of volunteers for LIVE scholarship review has been a real win/win,” Wienholtz said. “With the support of the program and staff, we connected with alumni for whom we wouldn’t have had contact information. Volunteers got a meaningful experience and we had a stronger selection process through their involvement.”
Interested in learning more about the program? Campus members who are curious to learn more are encouraged to register for an upcoming informational webinar. Webinars are scheduled for Feb. 19 at 12 p.m. and March 15 at 4 p.m. Register online.
Prefer a “face-to-face” virtual conversation? Drop into a weekly virtual office hour with Liz Bunkers on Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Bunkers will be available to answer questions and discuss ideas for connecting volunteers with students and programs every week. Access the meeting link here.
Interested in volunteering? You can get started by visiting the new volunteer portal.