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

2. 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

3. 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

4. CAAAN Overview (continued)
CAAAN members:
Conduct informational contact meetings with applicants (not evaluative interviews)
Contacted over 19,000 freshman admission applicants in 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 members
An intentionally diverse group
Geography
Culture
Graduation Year
Meets biannually, plus conference calls as needed to work on projects

9. ‘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

10. Thank You For Volunteering Your Time Through CAAAN!