Twenty plus years ago my parents embarked on a new journey from Haiti to the United States for a chance at a better future for their children. As brave as they were, they relied on family and the support of others who have taken the journey before them.

Serving as the new Associate Director of Alumni Communities for six affiliate groups I look forward to utilizing the same concepts from my parents’ journey to help bring a new level of success to our alumni communities.

With the collaboration and trust from my colleagues at the African American Arts Institute Alumni Association, Asian Alumni Association, Groups Alumni Association, Latino Alumni Association, LGBTQ+ Alumni Association, and the Neal-Marshall Alumni Club, we will all see new levels of engagement that aim to provide a chance at a better future for all those in the Indiana University family.

During my undergraduate matriculation at Bethune-Cookman University, a private Historically Black College University (HBCU) located in sunny Daytona Beach, FL, I learned just how important the alumni are to the overall success of the institution. With a lack of state appropriations, a student body of mainly first generation college students, and a myriad of other challenges it was often the alumni who served as the both the glue that held us together and the foundation for us to stand proudly on as we gave our time, treasure, and talents to continually propel our university forward.

Serving in student leadership roles such as Student Government Association president allowed me a life-changing opportunity to work closely with the Alumni Association and see their direct impact with professionally developing our students via guest lectures and etiquette luncheons. I also saw how major gifts from alumni initiated the renovating and building of new spaces to promote innovation and inclusion. Most importantly the contributions by our alumni assisted with increasing recruitment, retention and graduation rates with various scholarship funds. I am truly excited and humbled to serve these populations, and I look forward to continuing a storied tradition of fulfilling the promise for all. I look forward to getting to know my new extended family. Feel free to reach me at RRifin@IU.edu or (812) 855-2822.