Tuck Virtual Program Series Fosters Lifelong Learning

Through interesting and practical virtual sessions, the Virtual Program Series offers rich learning opportunities to alumni wherever they are.

Last year, the staff in the Alumni Engagement office started to tap into that knowledge by launching a monthly series of virtual programs on a wide variety of topics, from “Risk Taking and Your Career” to “Immigration Options After Tuck,” “Making Negotiation Make Sense” and “Planned Giving 101.” At first, the attendance for the sessions was modest, but as word of these sessions has spread, it’s become common for 50 or more alumni to tune in from all over the world.

Renee Hirschberg, the director of Alumni Engagement and Advancement Operations, is excited to see that trend continue. She’s hoping that alumni—all of whom have a special talent or expertise to share—will step forward and offer to lead a session. “It’s a nice way for alumni to share their passions and experience,” Hirschberg says. “For example, we have one alumna launching a business around executive coaching for women in the C-suite. She has offered to share her knowledge with the Tuck alumni community through an upcoming Virtual Program.”

The Tuck Virtual Programs use the Zoom platform, so presenters only need a webcam and (preferably) a landline to broadcast a session. Presenters can choose to be on screen the entire time (45 minutes to one hour) or alternate between a video feed and a PowerPoint presentation with audio. Those in attendance can log-in through a web browser and watch live or they can see the recording anytime after.

The virtual programs calendar is coming into focus for the next few months. On February 20, John McKinley, the executive director of the Center for Business, Government and Society, presented “Sustainable Investing: From Idea to Implementation” to an engaged audience that took full advantage of the Q&A time. In March, recent Tuck graduates will host a session on how to engage with young alumni in your region. In April, marketing professor Peter Golder, the faculty director of TuckGO, and Lisa Miller, director of the Global Insight Expeditions (GIX) program, will give a presentation on cultural intelligence and the GIX experience. More presentations will follow in May and June on the VC industry and energy issues. Alumni with suggestions for virtual program topics, or who want to give a presentation, should contact Kate Barlow, the associate director of alumni engagement. In addition, alumni are invited to complete this survey to share their thoughts and suggestions about virtual programs.

“Part of our goal at Alumni Engagement is to think about lifelong learning and how to provide alumni with programs that continue their MBA experience long after they leave Hanover,’” Hirschberg says. “That’s what these webinars are all about: they help our alumni learn fresh skills and hear innovative ideas that are current and timely.”