The Strategic Shift
Instead of:
• Events
• Panels
• Passive mentoring
We create:
A SYSTEM students plug into
Where alumni:
• Teach
• Mentor
• Hire
• Collaborate
• Co-create
Residency Tracks (The Backbone)
Instead of random visits → structured “residencies”
Example Tracks:
The Creative Residency
For arts, humanities, storytelling, media
The Builder Residency
Entrepreneurship, startups, innovation
The Analyst Residency
Consulting, finance, strategy
The Impact Residency
Nonprofit, government, social impact
The Science & Innovation Residency
STEM, health, research, AI
Residency Format
Each Resident commits to a 2-week or 4-week “micro-residency”
During that time, they do:
1. Signature Talk (but elevated)
Not a lecture
“How I Actually Built My Career”
Raw, tactical, transparent
2. Small Group Studio Sessions *
8–12 students max
Examples:
• “Break your resume live”
• “Pitch me your idea”
• “Let’s redesign your career path”
• “Solve a real problem from my company”
3. 1:1 Office Hours (high demand, limited slots)
Booked through RamConnect
→ creates scarcity + value
One year commitment
4. NYC Immersion Component
This is where we beat everyone.
Examples:
• Site visits (agency, studio, startup, nonprofit)
• “Day in the Life” shadowing
• Walking career tours (Wall Street, Broadway, SoHo creative scene, UN, etc.)
5. “Live Project” (optional but powerful)
Students work on:
• Real business challenge
• Creative brief
• Research question
• Strategy problem
Categories:
• Nonlinear career paths
• Creative professionals (writers, producers, designers)
• Builders (founders, startup operators)
• Hybrid careers (science + media, law + business, etc.)
• Early/mid-career alumni (relatable, accessible)
→ “Friends of Fordham University” for:
• Parents
• Industry experts
• Creators
• Innovators
PeopleGrove Module
Inside PeopleGrove, this should feel like:
“The Residency Hub”
Each Resident has a profile page with:
• Bio + story
• Career timeline (interactive if possible)
• Bookable sessions
• Events
• Content (videos, advice clips)
Add Features:
• “Follow this Resident”
• “Ask a Question” async
• Recorded content library
• Student reviews/ratings
Student Experience Design (Make It Addictive)
Students shouldn’t attend one thing — they should:
“Join the Residency”
Give them:
• A “track” identity
• A cohort feel
• A beginning and end
Add:
Digital Badge / Credential
“Completed Creative Residency with X”
Signature Elements
“Career Design Lab” (Flagship Experience)
Students bring:
• Confusion
• Ideas
• Resumes
Alumni help them:
• Reframe their identity
• Map paths
• Open doors
“Inside the Career” Series
Short-form recorded conversations
Build a content library → scalable impact
“Shadow an Alum in NYC”
Hyper-curated micro-shadowing
“Try Before You Decide” Experiences
Especially for humanities + arts students
• Sit in on a creative pitch
• Join a strategy session
• Observe a rehearsal / production
• Attend a policy meeting
Measuring Success
Not just attendance:
Track:
• Student engagement depth (# of touchpoints per student)
• 1:1 meetings booked
• Alumni return rate
• Internships / opportunities created
• Student clarity/confidence shift (survey)
Leverages NYC better than anyone
Moves beyond passive programming
Serves undecided students
Integrates directly into RamConnect
Scales through content + repeatable structure
Deepens alumni engagement meaningfully
