When Julian ‘27 reaches out to a UWC-USA alumnus or leads a campus tour, he imagines himself on the other side of that conversation, years after graduation. Through the Student Organization for Alumni Relations, or SOAR, he helps alumni reconnect with a community in Montezuma whose influence can last a lifetime.
“Reaching out to them through SOAR can remind them that they are still a part of our community and mission,” Julian said.
Julian joined after seeing how much his second-year SOAR leaders valued alumni connections as they applied for colleges and looked for internships.
SOAR works with the Advancement Office and Future Pathways (college and university counseling) to organize alumni activities, connect students with graduates, and support UWC-USA’s strategic goals. For Julian, those connections have brought the lasting impact of a UWC education into focus.
Hearing alumni describe their lives, from marrying a UWC sweetheart to living internationally and pursuing careers shaped by their education, has been especially meaningful.
“It has really made me appreciate my own UWC-USA experience as not just limited to high school, but as potentially having a lifelong influence,” he said.
Reed Baumgarten ’89, UWC-USA’s alumni engagement officer, sees those conversations as an extension of learning that already happens on campus.
“Students learn to build relationships in day rooms, classrooms, and campus activities,” Reed said. “SOAR gives Julian and his fellow students opportunities to practice those skills across the UWC movement and learn from our extensive network of accomplished alumni around the world.”
Julian is also developing leadership and event-planning skills. Whatever comes next, he expects those lessons to serve him well.
“SOAR has improved my ability to take initiative and lead while also staying grounded and connected with my community,” he said.