A packed room of 80 recent Shidler College graduates standing amongst Aloha Beer Company’s owner and Shidler alumnus Steve Sombrero, MBA ’94, while chanting “Aloha Beer!” isn’t exactly what most picture as alumni engagement. But it’s events like the recent alumni mixer, held in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Young Professional (YP) Program in April, that are gaining momentum amongst the newest generation of alumni. These gatherings are building community, creating mentorship opportunities and strengthening the alumni network in innovative ways that are engaging and a whole lot of fun.
Christine Quach and Kelly Chinen.
The inspiration for the April event was born earlier this year at a recent alumni happy hour the college hosted in collaboration with the Shidler Alumni Association. Christine Quach, BBA ’19, former alumni, communications and event specialist for Shidler, said it was another fellow alumna, Kelli Chinen, BBA ’22, who approached her in January with the idea. Chinen serves on the membership committee of the YP Program and thought having a combination event would be a great way to connect the networks. She’s also an active member of the college’s alumni network, beginning her term as director of the Shidler Alumni Association in July. Quach says a highlight of April’s event was it felt full circle, with two Shidler alumnae planning the event, which was held at an alumnus-owned business—all while continuing to grow a community that recent alumni can feel proud to be a part of.
“Each of our events has brought out more alums and many have never attended previous Shidler events. We were happy to see that we’re slowly bridging the gap and strengthening the connections of our alums.”
– Christine Quach
The most recent event at Aloha Beer Company—a sold-out success—was the third in a series geared toward alumni who’ve graduated in the past ten years. Each has seen a larger interest and attendance. The inaugural gathering was themed “Sweat and Sip,” which hosted 30 for an energizing workout at Orangetheory Fitness, followed by a hard-earned pau hana at Village Bottle Shop and Tasting Room. As the interest for these types of events continues to grow, the college expects to strengthen the momentum with regular activities. Some ideas in the queue for consideration include hiking, Paint and Sip and service projects.
“It’s inspiring to see the growing enthusiasm among our recent alumni. Their engagement is vital to the strength and future of our Shidler network. I’m proud of the momentum we’ve built through recent events and look forward to seeing even more young professionals reconnect, contribute and thrive together in the coming years.”
– Vance Roley, Dean, Shidler College of Business
In addition to events geared toward recent Shidler alumni, the Shidler Alumni Association also runs the Recent Alumni Mentorship Program (RAMP). This free program is designed for those who have graduated within the past five years and would like to connect with and learn directly from some of Hawai‘i’s most respected business leaders. The tailored program allows participants to set their own goals. Quach has both participated in and watched three cohorts graduate during her time working at the college.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to witness firsthand the transformation participants experience and to hear how the program has impacted their personal and professional growth.”
– Christine Quach
