Director, Business Development, USI Affinity
Hillary.Hawranko@usi.com 614-340-6140
5455 Rings Rd., Suite 250 Dublin, OH 43017
We look forward to hearing from you!
The NEAT wants to invest in you and the alumni relations field by helping you pursue professional development in a variety of ways: in-person or virtual conferences, software or skills training, books, evaluations, or even team-building activities.
Past scholarship winners experienced first-hand the benefits of traditional conferences such as talking with alumni relations workers from around the world, meeting thought-leaders in the industry, learning new skills and returning to their alumni offices with a renewed sense of purpose. Here are suggestions for other opportunities:
Scholarships will be awarded three times per year.
Individual recipients will be awarded up to $1,500 each.
A scholarship application may be submitted at any time.
Previous NEAT Scholarship Recipients
“Receiving the NEAT scholarship gave me the opportunity to learn directly from peer institutions about how they’re building pipelines between students and alumni, integrating philanthropy into campus culture, and collaborating across departments to drive long-term engagement. I left with practical strategies to strengthen our membership efforts and new ideas for working with Student Life, Annual Giving, and faculty partners. Thanks to the NEAT Scholarship, I also made valuable connections with colleagues from across the country, all while being able to enjoy the beautiful city of Los Angeles as the background for our conference. This scholarship made it possible for me to attend a conference that provided me with the connections and ideas that will be very helpful as we launch our rebranded student alumni group this fall.”
Olivia Esquivel,, Assistant Director of New Alumni Membership and Royalty Programs University of Alabama 2025 Scholarship Recipient
“I want to thank NEAT for supporting my attendance at the CASE Alumni Engagement Strategies Conference in Philadelphia, PA. This was the first time I have been able to participate in an Alumni Engagement focused conference after transitioning to Alumni Engagement after many years in Student Affairs.
During the conference I was able to speak with members of the CASE Faculty team who were both coordinating the conference and the core presenters for it. The discussions and presentations ranging from utilizing AI to engaging with GOLD Alumni and how to approach regional programming post pandemic were invaluable to me. Additionally, I was able to connect with colleagues within the SUNY System and from around the country to ask questions and share about programs. Attending the conference enhanced my confidence and knowledge for programming and engagement with alumni, students and members of our campus community.”
Michael Paestella, Director of Alumni Engagement SUNY Oswego 2025 Scholarship Recipient
“Receiving the NEAT Professional Development Scholarship was an incredible honor and opportunity. It allowed me to attend the CASE V and VI Conference in Chicago this past April, where I gained invaluable insights and skills in alumni relations. This experience has greatly enriched my understanding of effective engagement strategies, innovative communication techniques, and the importance of fostering lifelong connections between alumni and our institution. I am deeply grateful for the support and investment in my professional growth.”
Angela Schmidt , Director of Alumni Relations Bemidji State University Alumni and Foundation 2024 Scholarship Recipient