By Sarah Campo, Director of Alumni Engagement at ECPI University, and Ashley Richards, Richmond (Emerywood) Campus President at ECPI University
College is sometimes described as a journey, but it’s rarely the path itself that students remember. Most students tell us that what stays with them are the people who showed up and the small moments they shared.
Our mission at ECPI University has always been to prepare students for their careers. But this doesn’t just mean mastering the tools or the course materials. One of the most valuable skills they can carry forward is the ability to build meaningful connections. It's not something that can be taught in a single lesson but something that they develop over time.
When graduates continue to stay involved, it shows just how deeply they understand its value.
A Night of Reconnecting with Familiar Faces
Last month, we held an alumni event at ECPI’s Richmond campus that brought together graduates, faculty, and staff. The turnout was strong, and the feedback we received was almost immediate. We could see it in the handshakes and embraces as people recognized former classmates and instructors. Many alumni shared that it felt like being back home after a long time away.
What mattered most was the chance to reconnect. Alumni were excited and eager to share memories of their time at ECPI and talk about the paths their lives have taken since graduation. They spoke about classmates and mentors who became close friends and sometimes even colleagues.
Most of the graduates had never seen the new campus and took their time exploring it. They were especially impressed by the Culinary Institute and the modernized equipment in the nursing SIM labs. Even though they were no longer students, the tour gave them a real sense of pride. It felt almost like watching their own home improve over time.
As the night went on, those conversations turned into something greater. Rather than just talking about how their experiences shaped them, there were alumni who wondered how they could be more involved in the community.
The Full Circle of Alumni Engagement
Alumni often tell us they feel thankful for the guidance and support that they received from faculty and staff. But what continues to surprise and inspire us is how far beyond simple gratitude they’re willing to go. Many reach out, wanting to pay it forward by providing whatever support they can to current students and faculty.
At the event, some alumni offered to return to ECPI as guest speakers to share their experiences. Those weren’t idle promises, either. Just a week later, several graduates were already participating or setting up initiatives to make it happen. Seeing them follow through so quickly made it clear just how much it meant to them.
Other alumni expressed a desire to support students in a more direct capacity as a mentor. Someone who is doing just that is Enahoro Omoarukhe, a 2024 cybersecurity graduate who started his own tech company. Enahoro was so thankful for the opportunities he received that he wanted to host externships and hire ECPI graduates. There are also graduates like Daniel Runnion, who plans to continue his education so that he can return to ECPI as an instructor and guide future students like him.
Whether the gestures are big or small, graduates continue to express a genuine interest in lifting up the next generation of students. Their commitment is an indication of how strong the ECPI community has become.
What Makes Alumni Engagement Possible
When we look at the response from alumni, it becomes clear that it doesn’t happen by accident. It grows out of the meaningful connections that students build throughout their time here. Those connections support them both academically and emotionally. Yet with an average student age of 29, many of our learners are managing full and busy lives, which can make forming connections a challenge.
Our job, then, is to create and maintain an environment that can meet the challenges students face and foster a sense of community.
One way we do that is with our learning model. Students often move through a program with the same cohort, giving them opportunities to bond through group assignments and shared experiences. Over time, those familiar faces become a steady source of support. Some cohorts end up being so strongly connected that they remain intact even after graduation.
Meanwhile, small-sized classrooms give students the time and space to form closer relationships with faculty. They receive more individualized support and are encouraged to contribute. Many faculty members are happy to stay after class to provide extra assistance.
Our Career Services team also plays an important role in creating a welcoming environment. They regularly make classroom visits to check in on students, offering guidance during their programs and helping them map out future career goals. That support doesn't end at graduation, either. Students have access to Career Services for life.
With these efforts, it’s not surprising that students, staff, and faculty often feel like they’re part of one big family. More than anything, it’s that sense of belonging that motivates alumni to give back. They do it not as a favor but because they still feel connected to a larger purpose.
Using Alumni Feedback to Improve the Student Experience
Beyond maintaining a connection, alumni engagement also reflects the culture that we work hard to cultivate. It gives us a window into the student experience. If alumni make the effort to return, it tells us that their time here meant something. From there, we can begin to understand the what and the why.
When we talk to graduates about their experiences, many are quick to point out their favorite professors or the classroom moments that left a lasting impression. From their stories, we can see that meaningful learning comes from more than just the content itself. The content may draw students here, but it’s the people who make them stay.
Not all experiences fully resonate with students, of course. Having honest discussions with alumni gives us valuable insight. When they share their successes and challenges, it helps us see where things worked well and where they could have been improved.
The better we understand students’ experiences, the better we're able to refine our work to meet the needs of future students.
The Neverending ECPI Story
What we witnessed in Richmond was the full arc of the student experience. The curiosity, generosity, and pride that our graduates expressed showed us that the ECPI experience continues to stay with them.
It was also proof of how strong the ties within this community truly are. Graduates are able to step back into the environment as if no time has passed at all. That kind of ease says as much about their experience here as any milestone or achievement.
Ultimately, moments like this remind us that every student’s story is a chapter in a shared tale, and those stories don’t end at graduation.
About the Authors: Sarah Campo and Ashley Richards
Sarah Campo is the Director of Alumni Engagement at ECPI University. She is passionate about sharing graduate stories, celebrating their achievements, and building meaningful connections that continue beyond graduation.
Ashley Richards is the Richmond (Emerywood) Campus President at ECPI University. She is dedicated to ensuring ECPI University delivers high quality education and fosters meaningful connections for students, believing in the transformative power this has in helping our graduates thrive.