Jacob Ackroyd ’22
- Major: Finance
- Hometown: Pittsfield, Maine
- Hobbies/Interests:
- Chess
- Greek Life
- Investment
- Accounting
- Extra curricular activities:
- Institute of Management Accountants
- SPIFFY
- Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Why would you like to be an officer?
I would like to be the finance manager of the SAA because I feel that the skills and the point of view I bring as an individual both based on experience and personality will allow for success not only in the role I am elected to, but also to the rest of those officers. I want to commit myself to SAA and ease the job of others through whatever means is necessary to see that this club gets more recognition and popularity with both students and alumni.
Please explain relevant experience/skills that make you a good candidate to fill this officer position. Describe any relevant leadership positions or skills you have that make you a good candidate to fill this leadership position as well as your plans for engaging the group, connecting with members and alums, etc.
As for leadership positions, I was elected and am currently the treasurer of Alpha Tau Omega where I manage funds and create a budget for the semester. As well as this, I am also a Virtual Income Tax Assistant (VITA) at the IMA club where I assist everyday people in solving financial problems and filing taxes for them that will show up on their forms for the year. As for engaging the group, I would love to see more small scale and frequent events the club could hold for alumni that aren’t just around for things like homecoming but for those in the area and others visiting who can use the SAA as a resource to connect. I would like to see a balance of professional and social gatherings between not just SAA and the alumni but the students as well where there can be many more opportunities for students to make their first professional connections and alumni to feel that they are getting to know the new age group of graduates they could soon be hiring.
How do you think the Student Alumni Ambassadors program benefits UMaine and the Alumni Association?
There is not much more to be said that will not be said in other applications. The reason for this is that the SAA is a surprisingly simple organization with an attainable goal. This is obviously a good thing because it is what makes the possibility of reaching out to the students that much easier. We all know that we are a piece of the connective tissue that binds the past, present, and future of the University of Maine and the many people who currently attend and have attended. We benefit these people by offering them interaction between demographics, constructive topics all groups involved can use to better themselves and their organizations, and the previously stated simplification of knowing that there is a resource for students and alumni to have these opportunities and platforms.
As an officer, you will attend the group meetings and will have periodic meetings with members of the Alumni Association staff. With that in mind, how do you see your ability to manage these duties along with your other classroom and campus responsibilities?
Thankfully the SAA is a group where we understand other members are not able to meet as often, especially as we seek to increase our size. Because of this I am more than able to balance the less frequent and constructive meetings of the SAA with other high frequency commitments that are used to check in with duties etc.
You will also be required to volunteer for events (typically 2-3 per semester), is this feasible for your schedule? Briefly explain how you will work this time commitment into your schedule.
I purposefully leave time each week so that I can move around say an assignment or other commitment specifically for cases where I am needed that was not previously known to me. This adaptability set in my schedule will allow me to not only attend but attend knowing that I am not losing something by giving to my club and officers.
What would you like to accomplish for the program in the 2020-2021 academic year? Please provide any ideas/projects/initiatives.
As stated earlier, I chiefly would like to see an increase in the frequency of events between students and alumni that are not reliant on other larger UMaine hosted events such as Homecoming. This will allow for what I would believe to be a continued presence of the SAA around campus as opposed to coming in and out of the spotlight. To do this correctly, we would need more students and that is also something that I hope to accomplish during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Kobe Borden ’20
- Major: Financial Economics
- Hometown: Harlem, NYC
- Hobbies/Interests:
- Sports
- Music
- Extra curricular activities:
- UMaine Women’s Basketball Team Manager
- UMaine SPIFFY Club
Why would you like to be an officer?
The opportunity to learn, grow, and foster new relationships with the Alumni Association and fellow student community. Becoming an officer is an opportunity to give back to the UMaine community, through inspiring other students and prospective students through outreach. This opportunity isn’t just about adding to the CV, rather it’s about solving challenges for professional development.
Please explain relevant experience/skills that make you a good candidate to fill this officer position. Describe any relevant leadership positions or skills you have that make you a good candidate to fill this leadership position as well as your plans for engaging the group, connecting with members and alums, etc.
I have worked with various different personalities and perspectives. As a former Margaret Chase Smith Policy Research Assistant work included data analysis projects. Previously, as an I Mentor Events Assistant, work included student recruitment and mentorship program management. As a CBRE Capital Markets intern, work includes financial analysis, due diligence, client meetings, and account management. My academic experience thus far as well as my recent internships at Inter Public Group, JP Morgan Chase, and Ernst and Young have increased my desire to manage the finances.
How do you think the Student Alumni Ambassadors program benefits UMaine and the Alumni Association?
Student Alumni Ambassadors are the future of this program. Students are able to build professional experiences speaking to the Alumni community. UMaine is a community of student leaders.
As an officer, you will attend the group meetings and will have periodic meetings with members of the Alumni Association staff. With that in mind, how do you see your ability to manage these duties along with your other classroom and campus responsibilities?
No problem at all.
What would you like to accomplish for the program in the 2020-2021 academic year? Please provide any ideas/projects/initiatives.
- Efficient budget
- Engaged student membership
- Student outing
Anything else to add?
Thanks for providing me with this opportunity.