It's so important to engage in mentorship and gain knowledge from others, especially when it's an alumni. Deanna Mills has been that person for me, holding weekly conversations with me during my job search and post-graduate journey. I was completing the first year of my master's program and working in Western Kentucky University's Student Union/Center when I met Deanna, who was serving WKU Alumni Association as National Board of Directors President. I was fortunate to work in the Office of Alumni Engagement during the second year of my master's program and collaborate more closely with her during her final board service year as Immediate Past President. Deanna exposed me to a wide range of resources and knowledge that allowed me to improve my written and oral communication, critical thinking, creativity and concept of teamwork. Deanna's accessible presence and unwavering passion for student success is apparent in her warm welcomes and solid counsel that instantly assured me that I'm capable of achieving all my goals and aspirations. That feeling is sometimes hard to come by, and I always have that feeling when our mentoring sessions end. Even as a dedicated alumni volunteer whose professional work history has an employee engagement focus, Deanna's personal commitment to volunteerism and transferrable application of engagement in corporate, alumni, non-profit and member-focused organizations have exposed me to opportunities that have expanded my network of philanthropy professionals who may also act as role models, which is invaluable to me as an early career professional. Thanks to her investment in my development and her unique perspective in engagement, strategic learning, and strategic career pathing, my drive for the advancement profession has and will continue to grow.

Deanna was my first hire for a team that eventually grew to be a a force for positive change in our transforming business. She quickly established herself as a go-to for our 500-person Atlanta office as we delivered programs and changes to enhance the employee experience, align our culture, and drive employee engagement in advance of and through the integration of several acquisitions. Deanna is a consummate professional who is committed to whatever task is in front of her. I saw her grow her skills and deliver real value to our organization during our time together, always with our employees’ interests front and center. I actively sought her opinion and she offered insights using her powerful empathy strengths to keep us on the right track.

It's so important to engage in mentorship and gain knowledge from others, especially when it's an alumni. Deanna Mills has been that person for me, holding weekly conversations with me during my job search and post-graduate journey. I was completing the first year of my master's program and working in Western Kentucky University's Student Union/Center when I met Deanna, who was serving WKU Alumni Association as National Board of Directors President. I was fortunate to work in the Office of Alumni Engagement during the second year of my master's program and collaborate more closely with her during her final board service year as Immediate Past President. Deanna exposed me to a wide range of resources and knowledge that allowed me to improve my written and oral communication, critical thinking, creativity and concept of teamwork. Deanna's accessible presence and unwavering passion for student success is apparent in her warm welcomes and solid counsel that instantly assured me that I'm capable of achieving all my goals and aspirations. That feeling is sometimes hard to come by, and I always have that feeling when our mentoring sessions end. Even as a dedicated alumni volunteer whose professional work history has an employee engagement focus, Deanna's personal commitment to volunteerism and transferrable application of engagement in corporate, alumni, non-profit and member-focused organizations have exposed me to opportunities that have expanded my network of philanthropy professionals who may also act as role models, which is invaluable to me as an early career professional. Thanks to her investment in my development and her unique perspective in engagement, strategic learning, and strategic career pathing, my drive for the advancement profession has and will continue to grow.

Deanna was my first hire for a team that eventually grew to be a a force for positive change in our transforming business. She quickly established herself as a go-to for our 500-person Atlanta office as we delivered programs and changes to enhance the employee experience, align our culture, and drive employee engagement in advance of and through the integration of several acquisitions. Deanna is a consummate professional who is committed to whatever task is in front of her. I saw her grow her skills and deliver real value to our organization during our time together, always with our employees’ interests front and center. I actively sought her opinion and she offered insights using her powerful empathy strengths to keep us on the right track.

It's so important to engage in mentorship and gain knowledge from others, especially when it's an alumni. Deanna Mills has been that person for me, holding weekly conversations with me during my job search and post-graduate journey. I was completing the first year of my master's program and working in Western Kentucky University's Student Union/Center when I met Deanna, who was serving WKU Alumni Association as National Board of Directors President. I was fortunate to work in the Office of Alumni Engagement during the second year of my master's program and collaborate more closely with her during her final board service year as Immediate Past President. Deanna exposed me to a wide range of resources and knowledge that allowed me to improve my written and oral communication, critical thinking, creativity and concept of teamwork. Deanna's accessible presence and unwavering passion for student success is apparent in her warm welcomes and solid counsel that instantly assured me that I'm capable of achieving all my goals and aspirations. That feeling is sometimes hard to come by, and I always have that feeling when our mentoring sessions end. Even as a dedicated alumni volunteer whose professional work history has an employee engagement focus, Deanna's personal commitment to volunteerism and transferrable application of engagement in corporate, alumni, non-profit and member-focused organizations have exposed me to opportunities that have expanded my network of philanthropy professionals who may also act as role models, which is invaluable to me as an early career professional. Thanks to her investment in my development and her unique perspective in engagement, strategic learning, and strategic career pathing, my drive for the advancement profession has and will continue to grow.

Deanna was my first hire for a team that eventually grew to be a a force for positive change in our transforming business. She quickly established herself as a go-to for our 500-person Atlanta office as we delivered programs and changes to enhance the employee experience, align our culture, and drive employee engagement in advance of and through the integration of several acquisitions. Deanna is a consummate professional who is committed to whatever task is in front of her. I saw her grow her skills and deliver real value to our organization during our time together, always with our employees’ interests front and center. I actively sought her opinion and she offered insights using her powerful empathy strengths to keep us on the right track.