Alumni & Friends
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A group of SNHU students were recognized on the national stage for their commitment to civic engagement, social justice, and strengthening democratic participation. The Chandler Center’s Civic Engagement Committee was awarded the prestigious John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, an honor created by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) to recognize young leaders who embody the values and legacy of Congressman John Lewis.
Nominated by New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan, the committee was formally recognized during a ceremony at the New Hampshire State House, where students received the award directly from the Secretary of State. Recipients from across the country were later honored at a national gathering of secretaries of state in Washington, D.C., underscoring the award’s significance and the impact of the students’ work beyond New Hampshire.
The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award recognizes individuals or groups who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a passion for social justice, and a commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities. For The Chandler Center’s Civic Engagement Committee, the award reflects a year of ongoing, student-led efforts to expand civic participation on campus and in the Manchester community.
During the 2024 Presidential Election cycle, the committee played a central role in educating and mobilizing their peers. Through voter education presentations and campus events, the students helped 687 peers pledge to vote and provided transportation to the polls for 91 students. Their efforts focused on breaking down barriers to participation and ensuring students had clear, accessible information about how and why to engage in the democratic process.
Beyond election-related work, the committee strengthened civic engagement through innovative, collaborative programming. Students facilitated a cross-generational dialogue with residents at Riverwoods Manchester, creating space for meaningful conversations about civic responsibility and lived experience. They also partnered with Penmen Athletics to engage each team in civic-focused activities, hosted the Secretary of State on campus for a “Mochas and Midterms” event, and continue to build momentum through upcoming programs such as “Pizza and Policy” in collaboration with Stay, Work, Play.
The Civic Engagement Committee is part of The Chandler Center, which prepares students to be active, informed citizens by connecting them to service-learning opportunities, volunteer projects, and civic programming. Each year, The Chandler Center engages hundreds of students in service and community partnerships throughout Manchester, underpinning the SNHU Office of Institutional Advancement’s mission to build community and expand opportunity through meaningful engagement.
As Program Manager Katie Acciardo shared, the students’ impact comes from their enthusiasm and peer-to-peer leadership: they are “passionate and excited to learn and then motivate their peers — it is the magic that propels their work on campus.”
By honoring The Chandler Center’s Civic Engagement Committee, the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award recognizes not only measurable outcomes, but also the spirit of service, courage, and collective action that defined Congressman John Lewis’s life and legacy. For SNHU alumni and friends, the award is a powerful reminder of how today’s students are leading with purpose, strengthening democracy, fostering belonging, and making a difference in their communities.
Learn more about the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award and read about the 2025 honorees on the NASS website.
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In August 2025, Southern New Hampshire University marked a milestone that speaks to both our history and our future: the alumni community now numbers more than 300,000 strong. This extraordinary achievement is not merely a statistic—it is a living testament to the resilience, ambition, and diverse journeys of SNHU graduates who have pursued education in ways that defy convention. For many, the path to a degree was neither simple nor traditional, yet their persistence has shaped a community that spans generations and geographies. As these graduates step into their roles as alumni, the Office of Alumni Engagement ensures that their connection to SNHU remains vital and enduring, offering support, resources, and a sense of belonging that extends well beyond Commencement, as well as a variety of opportunities to stay connected and give back to the SNHU community.Alumni Engagement is part of Institutional Advancement, whose mission is to build community, inspire generosity, and advance educational equity through meaningful engagement. The alumni team works to empower the rapidly growing alumni population around the world to stay connected to SNHU in ways that matter to them through volunteering, sharing their stories, attending events, mentoring, and giving. By fostering a sense of belonging beyond graduation, this work helps alumni feel seen, supported, and inspired to give back to the community that shaped them.
“The alumni office has been an incredible resource for me since graduation,” said Aarron Dupuis ’19MBA, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “They’ve kept me connected to the SNHU community, opened doors to networking opportunities, and continually found ways to celebrate and support alumni in their personal and professional journeys.”
Dupuis is passionate about paying it forward through his involvement on the Alumni Board and through volunteer initiatives like Global Days of Service.
“As President, I have made it my priority to weave service into everything we do,” said Dupuis.
The Alumni Board of Directors is a small, dedicated group of dedicated alumni representing the entire alumni community of 300,000 (and growing). With board members representing many educational pathways and geographic location, the Alumni Board serves as a bridge between alumni and the University.
“It’s about building a community where alumni can thrive. Through our annual Association meeting, various alumni events across the country, or even virtually, we want to make sure to create spaces in which alumni can find community,” said Dupuis.
All SNHU alumni have the ability to support SNHU students on their educational journey. Alumni can stay involved through networking with students about career opportunities, volunteering for mock interviews, contributing to student scholarships, and much more. By engaging in these efforts, alumni not only help current students succeed but also continue the cycle of giving back, strengthening a tradition of support that ensures future generations of SNHU students have the same opportunities to thrive.
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