Happy New Year, fellow alumni! First, let me say that, as wildfires continue to affect the Los Angeles area, our thoughts are with the AU community members impacted by this terrible tragedy. We hope that you, along with all your family, friends, and loved ones, are safe. If you or another Eagle need support, please reach out at alumni@american.edu. Our alumni network stands strong, and we are ready to help however we can.

I’m excited to be your new Alumni Association President, and I look forward to working with you. I’ve been involved with the AU Alumni Board since 2020, and I am honored to lead this group for the next two years.

The new year brings changes to the American University Alumni Board. This month, we will formally thank the following outgoing AUAB members for their service to the university community:

• Yasmine Djellal, SIS/BA ’09
• Christopher Kalna , Kogod/BSBA ’07, Kogod/MBA ’19
• Daniel Leon-Davis, SIS/BA ’13
• Ashley Poletto, Kogod/BSBA ’14, Kogod/MBA ’21
• Rachel Tabakman-Plancher, SPA/BA ’03

These alumni have served our alma mater well, and I thank them for their service on behalf of the board. We look forward to their continued involvement.

We also welcome new members to the American University Alumni Board at the beginning of each year. The following alumni are joining us for their first terms of service, and I am excited to see all that they will contribute:

• Richard Green, SPA/BA ’99, SOC/BA ’99, SOE/MAT ’03
• Thomas “Toby” McChesney, SPA/BA ’02
• Megan Nguyen Rummler, SOC/MA ’19

Additionally, we are fortunate that  John Antokas, KSB/BSBA ’12, Corey Atkins, SPA/BA ’05, Steve Dresner, SOC/BA ’86, Hina Gir, SPA/BA ’12, SPA/MA ’14, Sean Graham, Kogod/MBA ’11, Brandi Howard, CAS/BA ’09, Nile Johnson, SIS/MA ’11, Andrea Moore, CAS/BA ’88, and Emily Tillet, SOC/BA ’12, will serve second terms.

I’m also very pleased to share that joining me on the executive committee are Bradley White, SPA/BA ’99, WCL/JD ’07, vice president of operations; Brett Zongker, SOC/BA ’03, MA ’04, vice president of external relations; and Don Michael Mendoza, SOC/BA ’10, MA ’17, secretary. I know this group of committed volunteers well, and I am honored to serve with them. Together we will provide leadership and guidance as the university seeks to engage alumni in ever more—and ever more meaningful—ways.

On behalf of myself and the entire alumni family, I must extend my sincerest thanks to outgoing president LaTanya Sothern, SOC/BA ’92. LaTanya has given extremely generously of her time and resources to AU, and she will continue her service as our immediate past president. LaTanya, I am profoundly grateful for your example and love for this institution and its people.

I believe AU alumni have more invested than anyone in the success of the institution. We carry this name with us for the rest of our lives, and I am excited for the work we’ll do together to ensure its reputation continues to grow. Visit american.edu/alumni/volunteer to learn how. Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle!

Best wishes,

Patty Caballero, SOC/BA ’91, Kogod/MBA ’00