Photo Collage of Baker College Alumni and Alumni Events
Amidst the many new additions and milestones Baker College has recently celebrated—from the flagship campus ribbon cutting, to a mascot (The Baker College Bees), inaugural esports team, and new leadership—the institution remains unwaveringly student-first, a commitment that extends even beyond graduation as the college introduces its first-ever Alumni Community. This initiative seeks to embrace and enhance the camaraderie among Baker College alumni and create new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and support.
“Our alumni are an important part of our Baker College family,” says Yvonne Rencher, the Director of Alumni Relations. “Over the years, I’ve observed the lasting friendships that have formed between students as they experienced their educational journey together. They celebrate together and support one another, which leads to lasting bonds.”
While the college has previously engaged with alumni on various occasions, this initiative represents a dedicated, ongoing effort solely focused on connecting with and supporting its alumni base. “The 2023 graduating class is the first class to join the first-ever alumni community, and it has been exciting to address the group and share plans and goals,” Rencher said.
One of the goals is to establish a Scholarship Fund which will play a pivotal role in assisting future Baker College students in achieving their academic goals. With a scholarship Golf Fundraiser being planned for 2024, the road to providing essential financial support for promising students on their journey is paved with a commitment to continue fostering educational excellence.
Adding to the support structure, an Alumni Ambassador and Advisory Committee will provide valuable insights into the planning of alumni-focused activities and efforts. Some members of the community have already begun enjoying special privileges, including exclusive discounts and a memorable outing to Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers baseball game. An alumni storefront is currently in development, catering to the demand for alumni merchandise, and the newsletter launched in early September. Additionally, a mentorship program will empower alumni to serve as valuable resources for current students in their career and professional development.
Tiffannie Linnabary, graduated from the Health Information Technology program in 2016 and the Healthcare Administration program in 2023. “I love that the alumni community is creating such diverse opportunities to connect, with discounts, events, gatherings, continuing education, and more,” Linnabary said. Looking forward, she plans to continue actively engaging with the community, already contributing her knowledge as a recent panelist in a College of Business webinar titled “Finding a Mentor in the Workplace.”
She says Baker College has consistently evolved alongside her, adapting to her life’s changing phases and offering opportunities to give back. Her initial encounter with Baker led her into the healthcare industry, and upon returning for her second degree, she found affirmation that healthcare was her true calling. “I have a very vivid memory of doing homework at the kitchen table in a quiet house when all the career and schooling stars aligned, and I thought ‘man, I’m in the right place,’” she added. “I found confirmation that my passion for healthcare was in fact my home.”
As Baker College embarks on this exciting journey with its Alumni Community, it reaffirms its commitment to fostering lifelong relationships with its graduates. Stay connected and follow on social media—LinkedIn, Meta, and X. For more information about the community, please contact Yvonne Rencher, Director of Alumni Relations. She brings a wealth of experience to her role, with a background in Human Resources, as the VP of Career Services, and as an Employer Relations Specialist.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.