The Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) has thousands of volunteers who help fuel new connections and meaningful experiences for our alumni everywhere. If you’re looking for a leadership position within the NAA volunteer community, there are many options with different levels of time commitment and responsibilities. Ready to let your passion and talents shine? Explore the possibilities!
Club Leadership
1–2 year commitment
Clubs are at the heart of the alumni community, and their success is thanks to dedicated volunteer leaders drawn from undergraduate, graduate, and professional school alumni. With support from the NAA, club leaders around the globe organize networking, volunteering, social, and educational events to bring alumni together and celebrate Purple Pride.
Northwestern has more than 65 clubs in the US and across the globe. The benefits and services provided by Northwestern’s alumni clubs, groups, and communities are available to all alumni without regard to any category protected by the law.
Club leadership roles and openings vary, but typical roles include president, secretary, treasurer, and vice presidents for membership and programming. Leaders work with the University and their alumni club community on an ongoing basis. Minimum commitment is usually one to two years.
Want to learn more about how to become a club leader? Please view our clubs here and email volunteer@northwestern.edu for more information about specific opportunities.
Global Ambassadors
Flexible commitment
Our Global Ambassadors serve as liaisons with alumni who live in their geographical region, city, or country. Global Ambassadors are typically in locations that do not have a regional club. The NAA aims to have an ambassador in each country that Northwestern alumni call home to help bring together our community wherever they live.
Requirements and time commitment vary by region/area. If you would like to learn more about being a Global Ambassador, email globalambassadors@northwestern.edu.
NAA Board of Directors
2–3+ years commitment
The NAA Board of Directors is the strategic advisory body for the alumni association. Volunteers who serve on the board help the NAA fulfill its mission to inspire alumni intellectually, socially, and professionally through programs that spark lifelong curiosity, connection, and growth. Board members represent nearly every undergraduate, graduate, and professional school at the University.
The NAA Board seeks candidates with collective expertise in AI/tech, marketing, community building, and more. On average, one to two director positions become available annually. The ideal candidate captures the essence of the NAA’s guiding principles. Additional considerations include:
A love and passion for their alma mater and the alumni experience
Leadership in their respective industry, profession, and/or community
A thought leader and strategic thinker
An ongoing commitment to support the University philanthropically
All members of the board must have matriculated to a degree-granting program of Northwestern. The term for president, president-elect, immediate past president, and vice president is two years. These positions serve on the NAA Board executive committee. The term for directors is three years. The vice president and directors may serve no more than two consecutive full terms in each office.
Candidates are selected by the NAA Board nominating committee and elected at the Annual Meeting of the NAA. Candidates are nominated at the discretion of the NAA Board nominating committee, based on the Board’s current needs and the strategic focus of the alumni association.
Alumni Regents are appointed by Northwestern’s president to represent the University in global communities with significant alumni populations. They serve as ambassadors of the University in their respective geographic regions and represent Northwestern’s president at inaugurations of other college and university presidents.
Alumni Regents, who must hold a Northwestern undergraduate degree, are selected by the University president based on factors including geographic location, philanthropic support, alumni volunteer engagement, and demonstrated impact in their communities. Strength of personal networks is also taken into account. Terms are four years and members may serve a maximum of two terms.
Alumni who would like to learn more about Alumni Regents, please visit here or contact regents@northwestern.edu.
