CAAAN:The Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network An Overview for Training Purposes August 2011

CAAAN Mission To assist the Cornell Admissions Community in recruiting and enrolling superior undergraduate students To promote Cornell University by serving as ambassadors throughout the world To unite past, present, and future Cornellians on a local level

CAAAN Overview CAAAN is the “Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network” 9,000+ alumni volunteers worldwide Organized into nearly 350 active committees Acts as an extension of the Undergraduate Admissions Office (UAO) to help with recruiting and yield efforts Ambassadors for Cornell first, but also a resource for students/parents

CAAAN Overview (continued) CAAAN members: Conduct informational contact meetings with applicants (not evaluative interviews) Contacted over 19,000 freshman admission applicants in 2010-11 cycle (over 50% of the total applicant pool) Submit informational contact reports that add depth/perspective to students’ applications Conduct accepted student receptions, entering student events & cover college fairs See Guidelines & Best Practices on CAAAN Web site: caaan.admissions.cornell.edu

The CAAAN Structure CAAAN Coordinator and CAAAN Assistant (Kyle Downey) (Colleen Chaffee) CAAAN Advisory Committee (‘C’AC) 350 committees led by experienced CAAAN volunteers 9,000+ alumni ambassadors worldwide *The CAAAN Coordinator and CAAAN Assistant are employees of Cornell; all other positions listed above are held by volunteers.

CAAAN Structure – Relationships The CAAAN Coordinator works primarily with the CAAAN Assistant and ‘C’AC Members, but is available as needed Committee Chairs work primarily with their respective UAO Recruitment Coordinators (8 UAO Staff, Organized Geographically) ‘C’AC is available to assist Committee Chairs Chairs and ‘C’AC Members consult with the CAAAN Assistant Ambassadors work most closely with their committee chairs

CAAAN and Cornell Clubs A CAAAN committee is often closely linked to a local Cornell Club CAAAN Chairs are frequently club officers Cornell Clubs generously provide funding for many local CAAAN events each year

CAAAN Advisory Committee (‘C’AC) Volunteers Appointed by Coordinator of Volunteer Programs to assist in guiding/managing CAAAN Experienced CAAAN leaders and one or two current students/young alumni Averages about 18-20 members An intentionally diverse group Geography Culture Graduation Year Meets biannually, plus conference calls as needed to work on projects

‘C’AC Roles Helps Guide and Manage CAAAN Assists in defining the CAAAN structure and philosophy Trains and mentors Chairs Helps UAO troubleshoot areas with leadership gaps or other issues Trusted advisors to UAO on matters such as communication with alumni and students

Thank You For Volunteering Your Time Through CAAAN!