Ten years ago, a bold idea took shape in Washington, D.C.—what if students could tap into the power of the Laurentian network beyond campus, exploring careers firsthand with the help of alumni, parents, and friends of the University?
That idea became SLU Connect, and today, it’s one of St. Lawrence’s most dynamic career development programs. Sponsored in part by the Alumni Executive Council, donations from alumni and parents, and coordinated by the Center for Career Excellence in partnershipwith University Advancement, SLU Connect has since grown into a national model of alumni engagement and student exploration with its expansion to eight sites around the country.
Each SLU Connect experience gives students a backstage pass to real-world industries—from finance and communications to sports, news, and entertainment to tech, sustainability, and the nonprofit sector. Through site visits, small-group discussions, and industry roundtables, students build confidence, ask smart questions, and gain insight into what’s possible after graduation.
At the same time, alumni and parent volunteers get to reconnect with St. Lawrence in a meaningful way—by sharing advice, stories, and opportunities with the next generation of Laurentians. That two-way exchange is at the heart of SLU Connect’s success.
Founded by Board of Trustees Chair Jennifer Curley Reichert ’90, who helped launch the first program in D.C. and has remained a passionate supporter and participant, SLU Connect continues to prove that big ideas—and big futures—often begin with a simple conversation between Laurentians.
As SLU Connect celebrates its 10th year, the mission remains the same: to strengthen the student experience, enhance alumni and parent engagement, and build connections that last a lifetime.
120 Hours in San Francisco
Or, when your agenda is full of meetings with VIPs from a wide range of industries—and they make time for you because you’re all Laurentians. Imagine stepping into the offices of Google, eBay, Amazon Web Services, and NVIDIA (among others) and shaking hands with executives, engineers, and entrepreneurs—people shaping the future of tech, finance, and nonprofits. Now imagine they’re all St. Lawrence alumni and parents, eager to meet you, share their career journeys, and offer advice. That’s SLU Connect San Francisco in a nutshell.
For five unforgettable days in January, a group of St. Lawrence students crisscrossed the city, diving into industries that once felt out of reach but now seem like real possibilities. More than 30 Laurentians opened their doors and their calendars—because that’s what this network does.
At eBay, financial analysts Mikayla Lathrop ’21, Evan Holm ’23, and Stew Hutchinson ’22 showed how finance and tech intersect. Over at Amazon Web Services, Sacha Drazien ’95 and Charlie Reinhardt ’23 explained how cloud technology is reshaping industries, Mike Thomas ’10 gave students an inside look at developments and the potential of AI at NVIDIA, and at Google, Jay Newell ’01 broke down the world of digital innovation.
For those exploring careers beyond tech, the cross-industry roundtable featured alumni in law, software engineering, and finance, including Eric Adema ’92, Hugh Neville ’14, Jessica Kolling ’04, Stephen Cotton ’06, and Douglas Melton ’86, who shared how their SLU experiences led them to top-tier careers. At Adams Street Partners, Brijesh Jeevarathnam ’97, partner and global head of fund investments, gave students an inside look at finance and investment banking.
For those drawn to storytelling and impact, Bill Bourdon ’95, Co-CEO of Mission North, led a marketing and PR roundtable featuring Vicki Wagner McRae ’94 and Nora Wolinsky ’10. Hilary Valentine ’89 arranged a site visit to Room to Read, which changes lives around the world through children’s literacy.
And because networking isn’t just about business cards and handshakes, students had the chance to connect with even more Laurentians in the Bay Area at a Tuesday night reception hosted by Valentine.
The trip kicked off with a welcome breakfast hosted by Steve Hirschfeld ’79, and by the time it wrapped up, students left with fresh career insights, new professional connections, and a deeper appreciation for the strength of the Laurentian network.
SLU Connect By The Numbers
8 Sites
From Bozeman/Big Sky to Boston, SLU Connect has launched programs at eight sites across the U.S. The other six sites include Albany, Buffalo/Rochester, Burlington, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
10 Years
The first SLU Connect program took place in Washington, D.C., in January 2015.
650+ Students
Students are invited to apply through a selection committee process. Sophomores through seniors are eligible.
500+ Volunteers
Alumni, parents, and friends share real-world insights and career advice. They host dinners, site visits, and industry roundtables. They serve as guest speakers at Laurentian Networking Receptions.
Dozens of Companies
Site visits and roundtables give students inside access to leading employers.
1 Network
One powerful, ever-growing Laurentian network helping students launch what’s next.
