CAA 2017

The Future of the CAA

Since President Lee C. Bollinger’s arrival nearly 11 years ago, our University has experienced transformative and tremendous growth. There are now eight Global Centers spanning the world, a new campus being built in Manhattanville, an inspiringly successful Capital Campaign – and the CAA. The creation of the Columbia Alumni Association in 2004 coincided with the celebration of Columbia’s 250th anniversary and renewed the University’s dedication to engaging our alumni. Fast forward to today.

The CAA had a strong beginning for over half a decade. Built a responsive, energetic, and inclusive Board. Increased the ways to connect through clubs around the world, shared interest groups, signature events, and leadership gatherings. Generated opportunities for alumni of all ages to interact with students, faculty, alums across the University, and senior administrators. But many still wonder, what exactly is this University alumni organization?

That is where CAA 2017 enters the picture. CAA 2017 stands for an ongoing multi-year effort that started with a broad theme Task Force report, followed by a detailed strategic plan prepared over many months last year. Now a thorough consultation phase is on-going, as the vision of the CAA in 2017 is discussed in a collaborative environment to ensure all areas will partner and benefit.

CAA is the means by which Columbia can develop a new alumni culture that is uniquely Columbia. It represents complementary opportunities to increase the engagement of our alumni with their Schools and across this great University. It retains what makes our alumni community diverse and simultaneously celebrates the excellence of all of Columbia.

Join your 300,000 fellow alumni and current students to shape the future of your Columbia Alumni Association by sharing what’s important to you in our brief CAA 2017 survey.

CAA 2017 Presidential Task Force

When the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) was established in 2005, President Bollinger stated that it was his hope that a University-wide association would serve as an effective conduit to connect alumni of every school back to the University and to one another.  The CAA’s progress and the successes to date have shown that this experiment has been an undisputed success. 

This year, President Bollinger convened a Presidential Task Force, CAA 2017, to review the goals and direction of the CAA for the next five years.  The Task Force is comprised of 20 alumni, faculty, administrators, and students from a span of schools, generations, and areas of the University.  During the spring of 2012, the Task Force evaluated existing initiatives and constructed a blueprint for the CAA’s future direction and goals.

In June 2012, the Task Force completed its review and recommendations and published the CAA 2017 Report. Now, the CAA Strategic Planning Committee will build on the identified priorities to create a full, actionable CAA strategic plan.  Together with the University Alumni Relations staff, the Strategic Planning Committee will present a plan to the CAA board and the Alumni Relations Sub-Committee of the University Trustees that spells out key strategies for the CAA’s next five years.  This complete strategic plan will be delivered by December 31, 2012.

We Want Your Input!

Now more than ever, we need you - the alumni of the CAA - to guide the future of your alumni association with your ideas, voices, opinions, and priorities. Please contribute to CAA 2017 by telling us your thoughts about the CAA in this brief survey.

Also, stay in touch with us in this space, on our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+) to keep up to date with Columbia news and conversations.  Above all, please keep your contact information current in the Alumni Directory so we can be sure to reach you with updates, event invitations, announcements about alumni benefits, campus news, and more.