ALUMNI AFFINITY GROUPS

How Affinity Groups Make an Impact

 

Affinity Groups serve as official engagement partners of the Office of Alumni Affairs and the University. They:

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• Foster meaningful, inclusive alumni communities centered around shared identity or experience

• Maintain consistent communication with members and the University

• Recruit volunteers and future leaders

• Serve as bridges between alumni and current students

• Strengthen pride and participation across generations of Wildcats

 

  These groups are more than social circles — they are legacy builders.

 

What Active Affinity Groups Do

 

To ensure sustainability and impact, Affinity Groups are encouraged to:

 

Stay Connected

 

• Host regular meetings (virtual or in-person)

• Plan at least one annual social, professional, or service event

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Support the University Mission

 

• Engage in admissions, academic, athletic, and advancement initiatives

• Show up and represent at University events

• Champion fundraising and volunteer efforts

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Invest in Students

 

• Mentor and guide current students within the shared affinity

• Offer networking, internship, and career pathways

• Provide scholarships or programmatic support when possible

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Celebrate Excellence

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• Highlight alumni achievements

• Recognize milestone anniversaries and reunions

• Preserve and uplift the history of your shared B-CU experience

 

Why Join an Affinity Group?

 

When you join an Affinity Group, you deepen your Wildcat connection in powerful ways:

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• Reconnect with classmates, line sisters/brothers, bandmates, teammates, or departmental peers

• Expand your professional and personal network

• Support and mentor the next generation of Wildcats

• Engage in strategic conversations about the University's growth and future

• Stay informed and actively involved in B-CU initiatives

 

  It's connection with purpose.

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Start an Affinity Group

 

Don't see your affinity represented? Lead the way. Starting a group is an opportunity to organize, energize, and inspire alumni who share your B-CU experience.

 

Step 1: Express Your Interest

 

• Contact the Office of Alumni Affairs to schedule an interest meeting. We encourage identifying at least one additional alum who is ready to serve alongside you.

• Contact Information:

  • Email: alumni@cookman.edu

  • Phone: 386-481-2955 or 386-481-2928

Step 2: Evaluate Sustainability

 

Together, we will:

 

• Assess alumni interest and engagement potential

• Review expectations and leadership commitments

• Outline the structure for long-term success

 

Step 3: Build the Foundation

 

Approved leaders will:

 

• Draft an Affinity Group Charter

• Define a mission and strategic goals

• Establish a leadership structure

 

Step 4: Launch with Momentum

 

With support from Alumni Affairs and relevant campus partners:

 

• Plan and host a launch event

• Recruit additional volunteers

• Build awareness and excitement

Step 5: Lead with Consistency

 

Following launch, leaders maintain engagement through:

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• Regular meetings

• Signature programs and events

• Support of Admissions, Athletics, Advancement, and student initiatives

 

Once all requirements are met, an official Affinity Group Charter will be issued.

 

Your Bond. Your Network. Your Legacy.

 

Affinity Groups allow you to celebrate where you started — and influence where B-CU is going.
Whether you're reconnecting with your band family, organizing your class cohort, mobilizing your fraternity or sorority, or strengthening your academic department network, your leadership matters.

 

Join one. Build one. Strengthen the legacy.