Alumni & Friends Stories

Category: News & Information

UDPride Alumni Network: 2023–24 News and Updates

In 2023, UD had a monumental year of embracing programs and resources around diversity, equity and inclusion, including the newly established UDPride Alumni Network. Highlights are:

A Drag Show Bingo was held during Alumni Weekend on Saturday, June 3.
The UDPride Alumni Network was granted a special invitation in October to the Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE) Dedication, which was covered in this Newark Post article. Members of the UDPride Alumni Network that attended are pictured in the article in the Food Pantry: a space where students can “order” food pantry items using their student ID for pickup.
Focus groups were held in summer 2023 to gather interest in starting an alumni affinity organization to support LGBTQ+ students, alumni and allies. As a result, the UDPride Alumni Network was formed and three alumni are now leading the network: Elaina Hill, AS09 (President), Cedric Steenberghs, AS14 (Vice President), and Kelsey Youells, AS18 (Social Media and Philanthropy Chair).

Kelsey Youells, AS18, Social Media and Philanthropy Chair (left) and Elaina Hill, AS90, President (right) at the October CIE Dedication

Volunteers in the UDPride Alumni Network strive for active participation and investment in programs that connect with and benefit the larger UD and LGBTQ+ community. As they look forward to building the affinity group in 2024, there are several upcoming events and programs to keep in mind:

January UDPride Virtual Town Hall Meeting
January 24, 2024 | 7–8 p.m. EST
Get to know the network leaders Elaina, Cedric, and Kelsey, and let us get to know you! We’ll also provide updates about 2024 goals for the UDPride Alumni Network.
I Heart UD Giving Day
May 1, 2024
The network hopes to help create a fundraising project to raise money toward continual improvements at the Center for Intercultural Engagement.
Alumni Weekend Drag Show
Tentative Date: June 1 | Noon–2 p.m.
Registration for Alumni Weekend opens in March at udel.edu/alumniweekend

If you'd like to get connected with this affinity, please email Ashley Ridler at aaridler@udel.edu.

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