Daniels College of Business Graduates help students grow professionally
Director of Alumni Engagement Cody Sherrod meets Daniels College of Business alumni where they are, finding volunteer opportunities at their alma mater that suit their interests and capacity. Through the Office of Alumni Engagement, graduates of all ages and backgrounds have discovered meaningful ways to engage with Daniels students.
“Last year, over 400 alumni volunteers gave more than 800 hours of their time by working in mentorship programs, speaking to classes, judging competitions or serving on committees. That social capital, or broadening of professional networks, is invaluable for our alumni and our students,” Sherrod said.
Impacting careers for years to come
Even as she pivoted her career from revenue management to corporate sustainability, Darby Steinberger (MBA 2022) volunteered as a graduate student ambassador, helping prospective students decide if Daniels was right for them. As an alumna, she mentors students, speaks at events and leads workshops.
“I believe giving back to students is so important because it not only supports the next generation of leaders, but also strengthens the amazing DU alumni network that will impact careers for years to come,” Steinberger said.
As a senior sustainability analyst at Arrow Electronics, her team celebrates the environment every April by organizing educational events and volunteer opportunities. This year, she partnered with DU to bring a volunteer event on campus, providing an opportunity for students to network with Arrow employees.
“The inaugural event brought together 25 students and 15 employees to assemble 50 solar lights to help provide a renewable source of light to students from underserved communities, people without housing and those affected by natural disasters,” she said.
Building an ecosystem of support
Jessica Gu (MBA 2012), executive director for Morgan Stanley at Work, recalled that, when she was a Daniels student, a mentor helped her explore careers, set goals, develop contacts and identify resources. She’d moved from China with her family a few years earlier and hadn’t yet worked in the U.S. She credits Daniels with preparing her for the workforce.
For the past year, she’s used her experience to offer students guidance, helping them grow and develop in the ways Daniels helped her.
“I presented on the topic of building professional relationships to over 150 students. Many of them contacted me to talk about how the presentation changed their perspective. I want to give back to the community and help students build an ecosystem that supports their success,” Gu said.
Her employer encourages employees to volunteer for community service projects, which has allowed her to lend a hand at networking events and help launch the Daniels Professional Development Program, a seminar series aimed at preparing undergraduates for life after graduation.
Walking in their shoes
When Arkan Haile (BA 1994, MBA 1996), senior in-house legal counsel for TransMontaigne Partners LLC, returned to Denver after 10 years in Washington, D.C., he joined the Daniels Executive Advisory Board.
“It was time for me to get engaged. Over the last decade, I’ve been involved in the search for new deans and helped however I could,” Haile said.
His board membership gives him a “behind the curtain” view of how the business school runs. In July, he moderated a panel during Pioneer Prep. The event made it possible for high school juniors and seniors from across the country to engage with young alumni from Daniels, who served as panelists.
“The idea was to come up with engaging questions for both sides. I imagined those teens being me back in the day. We were all in their shoes once, having questions we couldn’t answer or not having questions, not knowing where to begin or how to find opportunities. It’s easy for someone who’s been through it to be helpful,” Haile said.
He said the event encapsulated his interests in one place and time.
“To moderate that panel was so meaningful because it was so personal. The program was designed for high-achieving minority students and the focus was the business school,” he said.
Haile said everyone has something to offer.
“Think of the questions and insecurities you had as a student and imagine yourself asking for help or guidance. It’s literally infinite, all the ways you can help because you’ve been on the other side. If you have the desire, you’ll find the capacity,” he said.
How to get involved
Sherrod, the director of alumni engagement, said grads who bring their company’s consulting projects to Daniels help students learn and grow professionally. Students work on real-world issues, sharpening their skill sets and building their networks while providing valuable services.
“We love to see graduates who come back to volunteer and connect us with their company, which may end up hiring our students in a full-circle moment that benefits our alumni and students,” Sherrod said.
To get started as a Daniels alumni volunteer, complete this form. Join Crimson Constellation, a space for students, alumni, faculty and staff to connect and support one another.