What do Muhammad Ali and the inventor of kitty litter have in common? Both have previously employed Tami Condon, Andrews’ newly-appointed alumni director, as an interior design consultant. It would be fair to say that, since graduating from Andrews University in 1991 with a B.S. in Interior Design, Condon has worn many “hats,” working variously in design, management, marketing, and development. In the process, she has honed the rare ability to connect with people, making her a valuable asset to the Andrews Alumni House.
Condon put this ability to good use as director of guest relations on the Andrews enrollment management team. During her five years at the guest relations desk, she helped revamp university recruitment protocol, acted as liaison to prospective students during their Andrews preview visits, and pioneered the successful Student Ambassadors program, which pairs prospective students with current student mentors.
For her post as alumni director, Condon’s invaluable connecting abilities will merely shift their focus from future students to former students. “I’d like to look for creative ways to communicate and keep our alumni connected,” she explains. “I’m anxious to hear what their hopes and dreams and expectations are because I’m here to serve them—that’s my job.”
In her first month on the job, Condon has already begun devising new ways to achieve this sense of community within the Andrews family. The new alumni director plans to initiate a mentoring program in which established alumni work with graduating seniors as they transition into the workforce, providing career advice and even posting job opportunities on the website, which Condon also plans to update.
Condon looks forward to the challenge of keeping 28,000 worldwide Andrews alumni connected to each other. “Andrews has always been a passion of mine, and I just think this is the greatest honor,” Condon states. “I have a passion for people, for making a difference, and this is a great way to make a difference.”
Aaron Beaumont, University Relations student newswriter
