For the first time since 2019, the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE) collaborated with the Office of Alumni Engagement and Career Services to host its signature Be the Change Weekend, March 7–8, fostering connections between current students and alumni in the Common Good Professional Network.
The Be the Change tradition began a decade ago but had been on pause since the pandemic. “The goal is to reignite that opportunity, that vision, and the continuation of programming in the future,” explains event panelist Betsy Levine Brown ’01.
Visiting alumni included Brown, Gabby Bianchi ’19, Chrissy Hart ’05, Steve Heath ’80, Tom Levine ’71, Claire Short ’23, Heidi Sullivan ’06, and Meghan Stanton ’07, representing fields from education to domestic violence prevention.
Many of these alumni are not only successful Colgate graduates — they are part of the history of the COVE. Betsy Levine Brown co-founded the COVE during her senior year at Colgate, and Chrissy Hart was one of the first mentors in the program. Now, they’ve passed the torch to current COVE staff and students, like COVE Director Jeremy Wattles ’05, who helped plan the weekend, and junior speaker Ciara Sanders ’26, who offered introductory remarks.
On Friday, March 7, alumni and students gathered to introduce themselves and open up discussions about purpose and professional pathways. According to these alumni, their work is more than just a way to pay the bills. They endeavor toward something else: “the power of people and the power of connection,” said Bianchi, and “tangible change, healing happening in real time,” said Short.
“I don’t want it to come across that ‘Common Good’ means that other sectors of work can’t do good,” elaborates Brown. “We should be finding synergy and opportunities for good across all the things we do.” In this sector, though, success is defined by service. “It’s our unit of analysis — what are we doing for people?”
On Saturday morning, students had a chance to participate in breakout groups with alumni and ask questions about various graduates’ career trajectories. There were discussions on topics such as maintaining a work-life balance, taking care of your mental health while dealing with sensitive topics, and finding fulfillment through a career in the common good sector.
As the breakout session progressed, alumni asked students about their Colgate pursuits and how they might align with a common good career. The discussion fostered a sense of community, with various alumni mentioning how they would be willing to help students out and urging them to take advantage of Colgate connections. Students were given advice on how to develop and maintain strong relationships with possible mentors.
From Hart talking about her experience joining the Peace Corps to Bianchi noting the importance of her Institute for Nonprofit Practice fellowship, students were able to hear from a wide range of alumni who are at different stages of their careers.
“One of the most inspiring takeaways from Be the Change Weekend was hearing alumni share how their values have shaped their careers,” said Whitney Harper, assistant director of career development, common good and pre-law adviser. “It was clear that values like service, justice, and community have been a driving force behind their paths and continue to inspire them to make a positive impact in their communities.”
Current students and alumni alike benefitted from the community and conversation facilitated at Be the Change.
“You all are wickedly talented, incredibly intelligent, and highly versatile,” Brown told students. “You bring a great energy to the campus. As an alumna, that’s just fun to be around, and it gives me a lot of hope for the future.”
Avery Matthews ’27, appreciated the praise and the interaction. “It was great to hear from alumni about their experience moving into the professional world,” she said.
— Olivia Miller ’27 and Aarza Sachdeva ’28