UB alumni engagement welcomes new assistant vice president

The Office of Alumni Engagement has a new assistant vice president — Kristin Woods, who will bring more than 20 years of experience in alumni relations to UB when she begins July 1.

“Alumni engagement is really critical to our entire UB enterprise, so this is an important leadership role for the university,” UB President Satish K. Tripathi said about Woods’ appointment.

“Our alumni around the world represent a globally powered network that is an incredible resource for our students and recent graduates, as well as an invaluable source of support, dedication and inspiration for our UB community at large,” Tripathi added. “In so many ways, our alumni are a vital extension of our mission as a public research university. They expand and deepen our impact on all the communities we serve, from the local to the global.”

Nancy Wells, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement, said Woods’ appointment was the result of an extensive international search.

“Kristin’s remarkable skillset and experience were highlighted as valuable assets that she will bring to the job at this critical point in time — for not only the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, but the university and our alumni overall,” Wells said.

Woods most recently served as assistant vice president for alumni and career services at the University of Richmond (UR) in Virginia, where she led the realignment of UR’s career development center with its alumni relations office, creating a unique structure that became a model for other colleges and universities.

Woods also worked as associate director and volunteer coordinator in the alumni office at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, and assistant director in the alumni programs office at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law and society from Hood College.

Dennis Black, UB vice president for university life and services, chaired the search committee and predicts Woods’ hiring will have a positive effect for all alumni.

“Kristin Woods comes to UB after multiple alumni professional experiences in higher education, at a great time, as UB pursues excellence and seeks to better serve our graduates, bringing them closer to their alma mater,” Black said.

Mary Garlick Roll, president of the UB Alumni Association, said Woods will help strengthen the alumni board as well.

“Kristin’s extensive and varied experience will be an asset to the UB alumni association's board of directors as we continue to build on the momentum we have begun in the last few years,” Garlick Roll said. “Kristin’s skills will be invaluable as we work collaboratively to represent our 240,000 alumni worldwide.”

Woods said she looks forward to beginning her new position, and has planned two visits to UB in advance of her start date.