By Cameron Walker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A group of recent graduates is helping to shape the <\/span>NC State<\/span><\/a> Wilson College of Textiles<\/span><\/a> as they give back to their alma mater. The <\/span>Dean\u2019s Young Alumni Leadership Council<\/span><\/a> was established with 12 members in 2017; over the past year, members have worked to support the College in myriad ways, from volunteering their time at events to creating internship opportunities for current students. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShortly after being appointed the interim dean for our College in the summer of 2014, I attended some alumni events in North Carolina and New York,\u201d said <\/span>Dr. David Hinks<\/span><\/a>, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles. \u201cI was inspired by the positive energy and especially our recent alumni\u2019s interest in staying engaged with our College.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When <\/span>Michael Ward<\/span><\/a> joined the <\/span>North Carolina Textile Foundation<\/span><\/a> (NCTF) as senior director of development in 2016, the two began contemplating how best to engage recent graduates in maintaining and strengthening their connection to the school. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe realized that alumni that have been in the workplace a relatively short time would have a very important perspective on how their College could be improved to support future young alumni like them,\u201d said Hinks. \u201cThey have a clear memory of the College and some experience with the workplace and can share feedback as to how the College has prepared them for the challenges and opportunities they now face as young professionals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the fall of 2016, they met with alumni Chad Seastrunk (B.S. Textile Engineering<\/a> \u201804; M.S. TE \u201805) and Mike Ferguson (Textile Chemistry \u201804), members of the first class of Centennial Scholars<\/a>.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we discussed the options, we became excited about a broader approach to engage a diverse group of young alumni to support the College\u2019s strategic priorities by giving back in various ways: volunteering their time organizing alumni events, providing new opportunities to our students such as offering internships with the companies in which they worked, and through personal philanthropy,\u201d said Hinks. \u201cIn addition, they would be a group that would be able to give advice to the dean. During that meeting, we developed a rough framework that soon became the Dean\u2019s Young Alumni Leadership Council<\/a>, or DYALC.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On November 8, 2017, 12 young professionals came together to officially form the DYALC. One year later, a new cohort has joined the inaugural class, expanding the council from 12 to 23 members, including two student representatives.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like to say that our College punches above its weight as we are one of the smallest colleges at NC State, but we are one of the most impactful,\u201d said Hinks. \u201cThe impact that the DYALC is already having shows that, when it comes to service and giving back, our young alumni punch above their weight, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn more about the members that make up the DYALC.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are an alumnus or alumna of the Wilson College of Textiles and are interested in serving on the DYALC, please contact <\/span><\/i>Carly Dressen<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members of the Dean\u2019s Young Alumni Leadership Council<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n

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