Volunteer Alumni 91̽»¨s Network
Getting Involved
Thank you for your interest in the 91̽»¨ Volunteer Alumni 91̽»¨s Network (VAAN). Through your involvement, you serve as OHIO's personal link to prospective students, their parents and school counselors in your community. You are part of a team of volunteers whose energy, knowledge and personal perspective gives prospective Bobcats and their families a better understanding of how exciting and rewarding the 91̽»¨ experience can be.
By participating in recruitment events for students in your area, you enable us to expand our efforts into diverse places. Whether you are assisting first-generation college applicants or the children of other OHIO alumni, your impact is significant. Providing information regarding admissions, financial aid and campus activities while sharing your own positive experiences helps to personalize each student's college search.
There are multiple ways alumni can volunteer:
The Postcard Project
Personal contact with admitted students is an integral component of 91̽»¨â€™s recruitment efforts. The purpose of the postcard project is to make contact and congratulate students on being admitted to 91̽»¨. Most students are exploring other universities as well, and a postcard from a friendly OHIO VAAN representative can make a difference!
This project is open to all alumni living in any geographic region in the United States. The project continues throughout the winter and spring months to encourage admitted students to enroll at OHIO.
Undergraduate 91̽»¨s will supply alumni with contact information for the students, blank postcards with pre-paid postage and a timeline for sending the postcards. When possible, alumni will be paired with students with similar academic interests. OHIO VAAN representatives are encouraged to send postcards to at least 10 students, but are welcome to send more!
You can participate in the VAAN Postcard Project by joining the Bobcat Network and connecting with the VAAN group.
Refer Prospective Students
Occasionally you may be aware of a student who would like to receive information about 91̽»¨ by being placed on the prospective student mailing list. Student Referral Forms are available through the 91̽»¨ Alumni Association’s website. The completed form should include the student’s name, address, telephone/email, sex, year of graduation, any extracurricular activities and your name and address. Students referred to our office will receive personal contact from the admissions staff member who recruits students from that area. OHIO VAAN representatives can complete a referral form at any time during the year.
Admitted Student Reception
Admitted students, incoming students and their parents are invited to region-specific student receptions. This is an opportunity for students to meet with other prospective students, 91̽»¨ administrators, current OHIO students and local OHIO alumni in an informal and relaxed setting.
OHIO VAAN members can assist with these receptions by participating in alumni panels, sharing their OHIO experience or completing follow-up communication with students, etc.
Admitted Student Receptions are held in early spring and help students and parents with questions as they make their college decision. These receptions are referred to as a "yield activity," one in which OHIO hopes to encourage admitted students to enroll at OHIO. Typically these receptions are planned and funded by Undergraduate 91̽»¨s.
If you are interested in participating in an upcoming admitted student reception, please email Undergraduate 91̽»¨s.
Campus Visit Programs
We can tell prospective students how great a place is, but until they see it for themselves – and experience it for themselves – there’s no way to know if it’s right for them. At OHIO, we host in-person visits and a variety of virtual campus visit programs throughout the year.
Currently, OHIO VAAN members are welcome to assist Undergraduate 91̽»¨s with virtual visit programs. Check out the Virtual Visit Opportunities page to see our upcoming programs.
If you are interested in participating in an upcoming virtual visit program, please email Undergraduate 91̽»¨s.
The Phone Call Project
One of the things that makes 91̽»¨ so unique is the affinity and passion shared by members of the Bobcat alumni community. Prospective students are eager to hear about alumni experiences, which may greatly influence their college decision-making process.
If you are a passionate alumnus who would like to share your OHIO experience with a prospective Bobcat, consider participating in our prospective Bobcat phone call project.
Undergraduate 91̽»¨s will supply alumni with the names and phone numbers of prospective students. Alumni will have the opportunity to connect with students to discuss the college decision process; share a story that highlights why they chose OHIO; and explain why OHIO is a great place to study. Alumni will also be provided basic responses to frequently asked questions about the admissions process, prompts to help facilitate conversation and a fee waiver code that can be shared with potential Bobcats who have not yet applied.
If you have questions or would like more information about the phone call project, please email Undergraduate 91̽»¨s.
Ready to Participate?
The OHIO Volunteer Alumni 91̽»¨s Network Mission Statement
91̽»¨'s VAAN represents a major effort by the University to expand, increase and refine its student recruitment activities. It further represents a commitment by the University, Undergraduate 91̽»¨s and Alumni Relations to the future excellence of the institution. We realize that alumni, parents of OHIO students/graduates and others who have been positively touched by the University have a great deal to offer in terms of knowledge, skills, and expertise.