Alumni Advisory Council
Purpose
The Alumni Advisory Council serves as a trusted partner to the Office of Alumni Relations, providing insight, perspective, and guidance that help strengthen alumni engagement and support student success. Council members advise on a range of initiatives, including communications, marketing, programming, and outreach, helping advance the mission and promise of Concordia University, St. Paul.
Membership
All Concordia University, St. Paul alumni are invited to apply to join the Alumni Advisory Council. We welcome alumni from all backgrounds and life stages and value the diverse perspectives and expertise they bring to the council.
Applications open annually in February and close in March, with applicants notified of selection decisions in early May. Committee meetings are held virtually.
All appointed members are expected to attend the annual kick-off meeting, held in September, either in person or virtually. For more details about the membership process and council opportunities, explore the links below.
Benefits
In addition to the benefits all alumni have access to, Alumni Advisory Council members also receive the following:
- A reserved parking spot at Homecoming
- Discounted Homecoming tickets (early bird pricing regardless of when you purchase)
- Opportunities for conversation with Concordia’s president
2025-2026 Committees and Members
Communications
Chair: Carlie Donley, M.A. ’12
Additional Members:
- Christopher Eilitz, M.A. ’03
- Charles Offenbacher, B.A. ’15, MBA ’21
- David Petrick, B.A. ’71
- Matthew Zaske, B.A. ’16
Developing Connections
Chair: Ryan Kelzenberg, B.A. ’09, M.A. ’14
Additional Members:
- Jon Bourgerie, MBA ’13
- Robert Boyle, MBA ’08
- Chris Byles, ’25
- Leigh Collier, M.A. ’22
- Miranda Evenson, M.A. ‘23
- Kamla Gabbert, M.A. ‘25
- Gerald Miller, B.A. ‘10, M.A. ‘12
- Josie Russell, ‘26
Membership
Chair: Jeri Bates, B.A. ’91
Additional Members:
- Carline (Jackson) Bengtsson, B.A. ’86
- Juanita Colbert, B.A. ‘20, M.A. ‘23
- Tallisha Holland, B.A. ’19, M.A. ’21
- Kelsey Ihns, M.B.A. ‘23
- Amanda Knoell, B.A. ’00
Philanthropy
Chair: John Wood, M.B.A. ’21
Additional Members:
- Adam Bastien, B.A. ’24
- Jason Cooper, B.A. ’03
- Ben Harris, B.A. ’77
- Pam Uran, B.A. ’91
Student Alumni Connections
Chair: Beth Beik, B.A. ’13
Additional Members:
- Tim Fitzner, B.A. ’04
- Allan Hansen, B.A. ’99
- Jiselle Joubran, ‘27
- Sai Kiran Munugoti, M.S. ’24
- Alberta Konadu, B.A. ‘20, M.A. ‘24
- Chris Linn, B.A. ’68
- Fardosa Mohamed, ‘26
- James Penrod, MBA ’22
- Jeanetta Searcy, M.A. ’21
- Summer (Groth) Steward, B.A. ’13, MBA ’18
- Amanda Vaudt, B.A. ‘01