Volunteer Opportunities

Swarthmore’s vibrant and dynamic network of volunteers empowers alumni and parents from around the world to give their time, share their resources, and lend their talents in support of Swarthmore’s mission. Whether connecting with a classmate during a reunion celebration, planning a Connections event, or engaging in any number of ways to enhance the student experience, our volunteers make meaningful and lasting contributions on behalf of the College.

If you'd like information about other opportunities to get involved, please contact alumni@swarthmore.edu. Please review our volunteer code of conduct.

 

Volunteer Values

As a Swarthmore volunteer, you agree to:

  • Treat all members of the Swarthmore community, including staff, with respect and civility in person, via email, in print, and on social media. 
  • Commit to a role that suits your skills and capacity. 
  • Commit to being inclusive and addressing issues of diversity along numerous demographic lines (e.g. race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, ability, religion, geography) in all facets of your volunteer work. 
  • Communicate regularly with fellow volunteers and Alumni and Parent Engagement staff. 
  • Actively seek opportunities to engage new alumni, parents, and members of the Swarthmore community. 
  • Resolve any conflicts in a transparent and open manner. 
  • Acknowledge any potential conflicts of interest and recuse oneself when appropriate. 
  • Recognize that your actions will reflect on and speak for not only you, but also for other volunteers and the College.
 

Alumni Council 

The Alumni Council serves as the governing body of Swarthmore’s Alumni Association and participates in a variety of activities to support students, alumni, and the College. The Council supports the College in their active work to increase alumni engagement with all aspects of the Swarthmore experience. 

Contact Ellen Caccia (ecaccia1@swarthmore.edu) to learn more.

 

Alumni of Color

Alumni of Color (AoC) volunteers help represent the multicultural and international diversity of the Alumni Network. AoC provides a support network for alumni and students to connect with each other, increased visibility of underrepresented alumni through volunteer-based connections with campus partners, and feedback on College alumni programming.

Contact alumni@swarthmore.edu to learn more.

 

Connection Chairs

Swarthmore's regional alumni organizations are called Connections. Connection chairs organize events throughout their region for alumni and parents. Chairs plan a variety of events ranging from museum tours to community service projects that bring together Swarthmore alumni and parents in their area. 

Contact  to learn more. 

 

Council on Presidential Initiatives

The Council on Presidential Initiatives is composed of alumni, parents, and friends of Swarthmore College who are concentrated on the advancement and progress of strategic presidential initiatives.  During the 2021 calendar year, the Council is focused on assessing and advancing Swarthmore’s outreach efforts by researching and recommending engagement and stewardship opportunities.

Contact Sue Brennan (sbrenna1@swarthmore.edu) to learn more.

 

Garnet Club Advancement Council

An extension of the Garnet Club, the Garnet Club Advancement Council (GCAC) promotes the interests and wellbeing of Garnet athletics at Swarthmore—including varsity athletics, club sports, intramural athletics, physical education, and recreation. Specifically, this group is tasked with supporting athletics through advice, counsel, financial support, and volunteer activity and programming. The group will advance the student-athlete experience by supporting Swarthmore’s mission and goals as it relates to the Garnet.

Contact alumni@swarthmore.edu to learn more.

 

LGBTQ+ Steering Committee

The LGBTQ+ Steering Committee supports inclusivity and social impact by connecting self-identified alumni of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or any other non-binary gender, sexual, or romantic minority. Members host on-campus and regional gatherings and foster mentoring and community between fellow alumni and with students.

Contact Michelle Flint (mflint1@swarthmore.edu) to learn more.

 

Reunion Volunteers

Reunion volunteers help strengthen the bond that alumni have with each other and with the College in commemoration and celebration of their Swarthmore experience. Reunion volunteers actively connect with classmates to encourage attendance at reunion, serve as hosts for class events during Alumni Weekend, and garner support from classmates through reunion fundraising activities in celebration of their reunion. 

Contact Katie Kuzoian Straple (kkuzoia1@swarthmore.edu) to learn more.
If you are a Garnet Sage, contact Michelle Flint (mflint1@swarthmore.edu) to learn more.

 

Swarthmore Black Alumni Network Steering Committee

As leaders of the Swarthmore Black Alumni Network (SBAN) affinity group, steering committee members seek to encourage engagement and provide meaningful opportunities for members through communication, outreach, education, and events.

Contact Clarence Johnson (cjohnso9@swarthmore.edu) to learn more.

 

Young Alumni Ambassadors Program

Young Alumni Ambassadors is a leadership volunteer group made up of graduates of the last 14 years. These volunteers work collaboratively with College Advancement to cultivate meaningful engagement opportunities for Swarthmore's recent graduates to build a culture of leadership, connection, and philanthropic support.

Contact Kelly Speer (kspeer2@swarthmore.edu) to learn more.