When Shelby Newland (21C) signed up for Berry Alumni Connect, she had no idea how well the new online platform would live up to its name.
A graduate student and assistant speech coach at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Newland (at right in photo) wasn’t aware of other Berry alumni in her area. Once on the platform, she quickly connected with Lori Brasile (04C), an assistant director and career coach in the University Career Center at UNC Charlotte who works in the building next door!
Meeting for coffee, the two alums bonded over their experiences as Berry communication majors.
“As if that wasn’t enough,” Newland exclaimed, “she works in a field I’ve been eager to learn more about and was more than happy to field any question I could throw her way. Thanks Lori!”
These are just the types of interactions envisioned when Berry Alumni Connect was launched early in 2022. Already, more than 1,000 alumni have signed up for the free platform, which provides opportunities for users to share wisdom and guidance with new grads and young alumni, connect with alumni in a particular area, reconnect with classmates and friends, and make career connections.
“Meeting with Lori was meaningful because even though the day-to-day responsibilities of our work differ, there are those same values and mechanisms of education and empowerment,” Newland said.
Visit connect.alwaysberry.com to start building your network today.
