Notre Dame’s Minority Alumni Network (MAN) is comprised of the Asian Pacific Alumni of Notre Dame, the Black Alumni of Notre Dame, the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame, and the Native American Alumni of Notre Dame. The MAN is under the aegis of the Alumni Association and is an important part role in the NDAA.

Each group has a unique plan to strengthen alumni relations, recruit prospective students, and support current students. After the regional elections in June, they reaffirmed their missions for the year and beyond.

In July, the Alumni Association welcomed several new members to the MAN boards. Here is an update on initiatives each group plans to focus on throughout the upcoming year.

Asian Pacific Alumni of Notre Dame

Michael Wong ’96, chairman of APA of ND and president-elect of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, says that with the collaboration of Jennifer Cho, recruit coordinator in Notre Dame’s Admissions Office, the group hopes “to continue our success and momentum in recruiting outstanding Asian Pacific students. We’ve set very specific goals, which we’re actively working to deliver against,” he says.

The newly elected members of the APA of ND Board are:

Vineeta Gupta ’04 L.L.M.—Regional Director
Michael Lee’06—Regional Director 
Brian McLaughlin ’82 —Communications Director
Zoraida Radona ’96—Secretary
Jacki Rey-Hipolito ’02 —Alumni Relations Director
 

Black Alumni of Notre Dame

Chairperson Rochelle Valsaint ’95 says that she will be working with the board over the next three years to engage and connect the Black Alumni community, current students, and alumni to one another and to their local ND clubs. “We will use the momentum of this engagement to recruit African-American students, encourage local club participation and support current students,” she says. The newly elected members to the BA of ND Board are:

Bernard Akatu ’03 —Regional Director
Kyree Blackwell ’07 —At-Large Director, Young Alumni
Bobby Brown ’00, ’06 J.D. —Regional Director
Jetaun Davis ’05 —Recruiting Director
Marcus Ellison ’01 —Regional Director
Benjamin Finley ’92 —Regional Director
Monique Headley ’89 —At-Large Director, Established Alumni
Lionel Phillips ’76 —Regional Director
Christopher Simms ’88 —Regional Director
Amelia Thompson ’08 —Communications Director
Floyd Woods ’83 —Treasurer
 

Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame

“The Hispanic Alumni Board hopes to engage more alumni to mentor current students as they consider their professional options, as well as continue our efforts in recruiting prospective students,” explains Elizabeth Hernandez ’95, chairperson for HA of ND. The group has already been able to connect with prospective and current students through the video and blog on its website. The newly elected members to the HA of ND Board are:

Micaela Larkin ’01, ’05 M.A.—Vice Chair of Alumni
Elias Moo ’07,’09 M. Ed.—Regional Director
Ricky Ramon ’99—Vice Chair of Students
Catalina Yanez ’00 —Regional Director
 

Native American Alumni of Notre Dame

With its new co-chair in Student Recruitment Tamera Miyasato ’08, the NAA of ND plans to continue promoting the attendance of Native-American students at Notre Dame. According to Kateri Kerwin ’92, chairperson, the group also will promote more Native Alumni involvement with the Alumni Association and local Notre Dame clubs. 

Learn more about the members of these MAN boards and their specific missions by visiting the Minority Alumni Network website.