Energizing and Igniting Alumni

Nicole Parker Donaldson, ’21 MEd, is ready to bring her own vision to the role of the Director of Alumni Engagement. A Seattle University alumna and first-generation college graduate, Donaldson is passionate about connecting with Redhawks of all generations and bolstering the unique community of Seattle University alumni. 

While in Seattle University’s Student Development Administration program, Donaldson worked as a graduate assistant in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She developed her own style of leadership that focused on dialogue and inclusive community building with a lens for student support, engagement and policy. Shortly after graduating, she returned to Seattle University, this time as a staff member, taking on the role of the Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni Experience in the Alumni Association. 

“My catchphrase coined during my time as Assistant Director for Student and Young Alumni Experience is ‘excited to be ignited,’” says Donaldson. “We are Jesuit educated, inspired from above and ignited from within and I want all our alumni to be excited to be ignited along with me.” 

Donaldson carried this excitement with her as she assumed her new role as director in June. Continuing the work of previous director De’Andre Jones, ’18 MEd, Donaldson’s aim is to reignite the spark of affinity that alumni share for their alma mater, while meeting the community’s unique wants and needs. With her team, she is building sustainable systems to support alumni engaging with students and university initiatives.

“We are Jesuit educated, inspired from above and ignited from within and I want all our alumni to be excited to be ignited along with me.”  

—Nicole Parker Donaldson, ’21 MEd

 “My favorite part of working with alumni is seeing them shine when they are plugged into the right opportunity to share their story or contribute to the community in some way,” says Donaldson. “Our alumni are truly amazing and doing great things that often go unrecognized.”

 Donaldson has several priorities in this new role to bolster both the student and alumni experience, including bridging the student-to-alumni transition. Along with an emphasis on engaging with alumni of all backgrounds, she plans to focus on participation opportunities for both Seattle-based and non-local alums. She also hopes to promote a culture of philanthropy rooted in Seattle University’s Jesuit ethos with a focus on service and ecumenical expressions of faith and spirituality. 

 “Being an alum, I know there is something truly special about Seattle University, but I understand that while my experience was transformative, there were challenges as well,” says Donaldson. “As a first-generation college graduate, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the many people on campus who helped me navigate the challenges and celebrated my wins.” 

Led by Donaldson, the Alumni Engagement team is eager to connect with and serve the alumni community. The team hopes to empower and support alumni leaders and ensure all alumni know they belong, matter and can amplify their impact through Seattle University. 

“My work is inspired by allowing two things to be true—this place is amazing and there is lots of work to be done,” says Donaldson. “I don’t plan to fill the shoes left by my predecessor, but I did bring my own.”