Alabama State University News March 20, 2023 Alabama State University students who wanted to be a part of something special and build their professional contacts while learning to become effective alumni, turned out recently at the John Garrick Hardy Student Center Theater to grab that opportunity. Students attended the Future Alumni Movement (FAM) interest meeting and then the Helping Individuals Receive Employment Direction (HIRED) event -- both were sponsored and facilitated by ASU’s Office of Alumni Relations. FAM is a pre-alumni student council organization that facilitates HIRED events. Pre-Alumni Councils are part of alumni networks in colleges and universities across the country. ASU's Council, which was established in 2010, was named "FAM" by ASU students desiring to emphasize that students, alumni, faculty and staff are "family." “This FAM gathering was an opportunity for students to interact with alumni who are in professions and careers that they aspire to join, as well as to establish new leadership for the FAM,” said Cromwell Handy, director of ASU's Alumni Relations. The program featured three ASU alumni who shared their successes in navigating their career paths. The HIRED speakers were the Honorable Johnny Hardwick, presiding judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit Court; Darryl Lassiter, producer/ director/ filmmaker; and Dr. Gloria M. Holt, a dentist. ​“This initiative allows students to meet professionals and alumni in their field of study while building positive networking. These opportunities improve their chances of receiving jobs and internships, which is one of the goals of HIRED​. ​​​The Montgomery Alumni Chapter is an intricate part of FAM and its alumni advisor is a member of the chapter​,​​"​ he said, noting that FAM​ ​also raises money to support ASU, the students, and its mission.​ When students identify themselves as future alumni, Handy pointed out that they also own the identity of someone who has made that commitment to successfully complete their educational goal. “It is incumbent upon us to meet our students where they are best; in order to effectively support them on their educational journey to get where they are going! The Future Alumni Movement Initiative is a shared mindset that embraces this vision, accountability, and community,” he added. For more information on how to be a member of FAM, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 334-229-4280 or email asualumni@alasu.edu<mailto:asualumni@alasu.edu>. LaTasha Denard Executive Assistant at HBCU Library Alliance<http://hbculibraries.org/> Phone: (678) 210-5801 ext. 102 Web: hbculibraries.org<http://hbculibraries.org/> Email: ldenard@hbculibraries.org<http://mailto:ldenard@hbculibraries.org/> Follow us on our social media: [cid:image001.gif@01D95CDC.5506CD90]<https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/> [cid:image002.gif@01D95CDC.5506CD90] <https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance> [cid:image003.png@01D95CDC.5506CD90] <https://www.instagram.com/hbcu_library_alliance/> [cid:image004.gif@01D95CDC.5506CD90] <https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/> Sandra Phoenix Executive Director at HBCU Library Alliance<http://hbculibraries.org/> Office: (678) 210-5801 ext. 101 Mobile: (404) 702-5854 Web: hbculibraries.org<http://hbculibraries.org/> Email: sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Seek justice, honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. [cid:image001.gif@01D95CDC.5506CD90]<https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/> [cid:image002.gif@01D95CDC.5506CD90] <https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance> [cid:image003.png@01D95CDC.5506CD90] <https://www.instagram.com/hbcu_library_alliance/> [cid:image004.gif@01D95CDC.5506CD90] <https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/>