Alumni board candidates

Collectively, they have served on many Wheaton committees; attended Reunions, Alumnae/i Leadership Conferences and other events; held positions as class officers; and remained highly engaged representatives of the college since graduating.

Here are the new candidates for the Alumnae/i Association Board of Directors:

Makiyah Moody ’00

Makiyah Moody ’00Governance initiatives director, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools

ALUMNI TRUSTEE

Alumni and Parent Admission Committee (APAC), 2001–14; Black Alumni Steering Committee, 2005

“I have stayed connected and committed to Wheaton through an annual gift, as well as through the many friendships that developed while being immersed in stimulating classes or just sharing chicken tenders at the Loft. As a member of the Alumni Association Board, I want to inspire alum engagement, be of service to Wheaton in whatever meaningful way that I can, and connect with other Wheaties along the way.”

Kathryn Leiby Schneider ’06

Kathryn Leiby Schneider ’06Events and outreach manager for Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, New York

NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIR

Wheaton Club regional contact, 2010–14; APAC 2010–14

“My mom is a Wheatie, Class of 1971. On a college trip to visit Boston and Providence, she suggested we stop by Wheaton for a ‘no pressure’ interview. I loved it so much I applied early. I feel that with all that Wheaton has given me, it is important to give back. I’m proud that through my financial and volunteer contributions I am able to support the campus as well as current, former and future students. And I’m looking forward to joining the board and working to encourage more alums from all class years to get involved. The more people we have at the table, the more we can do.”

James Eberhart ’03

James Eberhart ’03Higher-mathematics teacher, Miss Hall’s School, Pittsfield, Mass.

RECOGNITION COMMITTEE CHAIR

Class president, 2014–18; Annual Giving Committee, 2014–15; Alumni Recognition Committee, 2010–13

“I have a deep family connection to Wheaton. One of my aunts and my maternal grandmother are both Wheaton graduates. Also, my paternal grandfather was a visiting professor for one year. As a member of the class officer team, it has been nice to get the chance to reach out to classmates I was not as close to and get to know them and how they are doing. I also try to get back to campus whenever I can, for events like the Alumni Leadership Conference or Reunion, or, occasionally, I’ll just wander around campus and pop in for a late-night mocha at the Lyons Den. I am hoping to learn more about the way that Wheaton connects with its alums and strengthen that connection. We have a very strong core group of alums. I’d like to find ways to reconnect with those who may have lost touch.”

Molly Galler ’06

Molly Galler ’06Account supervisor at Mullen, an advertising agency in Boston

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Annual Giving Committee, 2011–14; Social Media Advisory Committee, 2010–12

“I’ve stayed connected to Wheaton as a volunteer for Alumni Relations and the Filene Center, as a member of the Annual Giving Committee, and now as a member of the Alumni Board. I’d like to primarily focus on how we spread the word to alums about what’s happening on campus, so they can attend events and participate in activities and groups that interest them.”

Stephen Larkin ’92

Stephen Larkin ’92Real estate agent at the Corcoran Group, New York

NATIONAL REUNION CHAIR

Social Media Advisory Committee chair, 2012; APAC, 1995–2013; Alumni Board of Directors, 1993–97

“I’ve stayed very connected with alums because so many are still close friends. We attend each other’s weddings, graduations. We visit each other on weekends, vacation together, grab drinks or dinner, if we live in the same towns and cities. And here in Manhattan, I’m always just bumping into fellow Wheaton alums on the streets. My number one goal as national Reunion chair is to help generate enough excitement and enthusiasm to persuade a lot of very busy and far-flung people to put their jobs, families and friends on hold and get back to campus. Reunion Weekend is magical, eye-opening and inspiring on so many levels. I don’t want anyone to miss out.”

Elena Wong ’07

Elena Wong '07West Coast regional admission counselor at Drew University

WHEATON FUND NATIONAL CO-CHAIR

Wheaton Club Committee, 2013–14; Presidential Search Focus Group, 2013; Wheaton Fund chair, 2010–17

“After my graduation in 2007, I was hired and worked in the Wheaton admission office for five years. Not only was I able to meet alums who lived all over the country and world, but I also had the honor of helping to bring in future Wheaties. I hope that we, as the board, will look closely at how we are connecting with alums—locally, through social media, or by bringing them back to campus. We must also think critically about how we can provide opportunities for prospective students to choose such a special place like Wheaton for their college education. That way we ensure that we continue to maintain our wonderful Alumni network.”