Alumni Benefits

From exclusive resources and networking opportunities to programs that strengthen lifelong connections, alumni can continue to grow as part of Excelsior’s vibrant and supportive community.

Belonging and Identity

How do I join?

Alumni Association

Every graduate of Excelsior University, Excelsior College, Regents College, and the University of the State of New York automatically belongs to the Excelsior University Alumni Association—no application or dues required. The Alumni Association offers meaningful ways to network with peers, share insights, celebrate accomplishments, and stay informed about University news and opportunities.

Connection and Community

How can I stay connected?

Excelsior Connects

Excelsior Connects is your online platform for connection, professional exploration, and access to University updates. Alumni can participate in discussions, explore mentoring opportunities, and access career resources.

Alumni Association Facebook Group

The Excelsior University Alumni Association Facebook Group is a welcoming space to engage with fellow graduates, staff and faculty, ask questions, and participate in conversations about professional development, lifelong learning, and University initiatives.

Engagement and Milestones

What can I do?

Excelsior Events

Excelsior University offers in-person and online events for alumni at no additional cost. Programming includes expert‑led webinars, Career Cafés with employers, networking opportunities, and skill‑building workshops that support professional growth, lifelong learning, and meaningful engagement. Alumni can also connect through Excelsior Connects on the Road, an event series that brings the Excelsior community together in cities across the United States.

Commencement Eve Celebration

Alumni, graduates, and students are invited to connect and network at this celebration the evening before Commencement. Meet faculty and staff, and mingle with members of the Alumni Leadership Council.

In-person Commencement

Excelsior University’s in-person Commencement represents a powerful opportunity to celebrate milestones face-to-face and begin a lifelong alumni connection. Graduates from any year who have not previously participated are warmly invited to walk at Commencement and take part in the celebration.

Career and Lifelong Learning

How can I keep growing?

Career Readiness Services

Through its Career Readiness services, Excelsior offers alumni practical tools and guidance for career discovery, exploration, and planning. Graduates can access resources that support professional development, goal setting, and long-term career growth. These services are intended to help alumni navigate evolving career paths with clarity and purpose.

Mentorship

Through Excelsior Connects, you can volunteer as mentor or seek guidance from fellow alumni, creating one-on-one connections rooted in shared academic and professional experiences. Alumni can network within their industries, explore career paths, exchange insights, and build supportive relationships that strengthen their professional circles.

Excelsior University Library

Excelsior University alumni retain access to select library resources, including the Open Hub, which includes Open Educational Resources. The Open Hub features the SOAR (Scholarly Open Access Repository), the ExPress open publishing program, research databases, and course development tools that support lifelong learning and continued scholarship.

Recognition and Pride

How can I share more?

Alumni Notes and News

Alumni Notes make it easy for you to stay connected and share personal and professional updates—career achievements, promotions, awards, publications, community involvement, family news, and more—with your Excelsior community.

Alumni Lapel Pin

Alumni Leadership Council members proudly present an Excelsior lapel pin to graduates at Commencement immediately after they cross the stage. The pin symbolizes graduates taking their place in Excelsior’s community of more than 200,000 alumni.

Alumni Recognition and Awards

Annual Alumni Awards celebrate the achievements, leadership, and service of our graduates. Alumni are invited to demonstrate how their Excelsior education has empowered them to grow professionally, give back to their communities, and make a difference in their fields. Award recipients are selected by the Alumni Leadership Council’s Awards and Nominations Committee.

Excelsior Apparel and Gifts

Show your Excelsior pride with exclusive apparel and gifts designed specifically for the Excelsior community. The collection includes a variety of Excelsior‑branded T‑shirts, hats, hoodies, totes, drinkware, and more—including items featuring alumni‑specific designs. From the classic Excelsior Alumni Tee to caps, polos, and cozy sweatshirts, there are many ways to represent your Excelsior experience with pride. Alumni can visit the Excelsior University Bookstore to explore the full collection.

Service and Leadership

How can I contribute or lead if I choose to?

Alumni Ambassadors

The Alumni Ambassador program provides an opportunity to serve as a volunteer representative of the University and support outreach by sharing your experiences and connecting with community members. Ambassadors represent a valued extension of the University’s alumni network and may be invited to support select initiatives as programming develops.

Alumni Leadership Council

The Alumni Leadership Council is a select cohort of 12 alumni who represent the diversity and breadth of the Excelsior community. Members serve three-year terms and help strengthen alumni connections through engagement initiatives, outreach, and strategic input. Council members act as ambassadors for the University’s mission and values while contributing alumni perspectives to university-wide efforts. All alumni are encouraged to apply annually through the alumni awards and nominations process.

Philanthropy and Legacy

How can I support what comes next?

Pay It Forward Program

The Pay It Forward program is a meaningful way for Excelsior University alumni to support future generations of students while celebrating their own achievements. Each year, new graduates are invited to make a gift to the Excelsior University Alumni Fund, helping provide scholarships for students with financial need so they can persist and finish their degrees. With a contribution of $25 or more, alumni receive a commemorative purple alumni cord—a symbol of pride, generosity, and membership in a community of lifelong learners. Participating in Pay It Forward enables graduates to leave a lasting legacy, uplift those who follow in their footsteps, and share their Excelsior pride.