Big News: Meet the Young Professionals Network & the New Member Toolkit!

Written by: Alex Green, HEUG Senior Community Manager

Hey HEUG friends—something exciting is happening, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

We’re launching two brand-new ways to help you connect, grow, and thrive in our community: the Young Professionals Network (YPN) and the New Member Toolkit.

Whether you’re new to HEUG or looking for fresh opportunities to get involved, these resources are designed to help you find your place and make an impact.

🌟 The Young Professionals Network (YPN)

The YPN is here to bring early-career professionals together, creating space for connection, learning, and leadership. It’s all about building relationships, sharing ideas, and supporting each other as we grow in higher ed technology.

And behind the scenes? A dynamic group of volunteers shaping your experience:

Rachel Cronn
YPN Council Chair

Ben Frazee
YPN Board Liaison

Sean Kramer
Engagement & Forum Lead

Cassandra Mitchell
Events Planner

Piper Hilgaertner
Creative & Social Media Contributor

Katie Cawley
Outreach & Community Growth Liaison

Ernesto Crucet
Communications & Storytelling Lead

This team is building the forums, events, and resources that will make the YPN a welcoming home for young professionals in HEUG.

🛠️ The New Member Toolkit

We know joining a new community can feel overwhelming, so we built a toolkit to help you hit the ground running. It’s your go-to guide for understanding HEUG, connecting with others, and making the most of your membership.

A huge thank you goes to our HEUG Ambassadors, who poured their energy and creativity into making this possible:

Amanda Douglas Florida A&M University HEUG Ambassador	Andrea Cipolla University of Maryland, Baltimore County HEUG Ambassador	Bobby Fisher Rose State College HEUG Ambassador	Dana Pawlowicz University of Cincinnati HEUG Ambassador
Gaurav Ohri University of Texas At Arlington DBA Sr HEUG Ambassador	Isela Reza-Rogers California State University-Fresno MPA HEUG Ambassador	Jacqueline Ang Singapore University of Social Sciences HEUG Ambassador	Jonathan Banks Florida State University HEUG Ambassador
Lara Santosuosso McMaster University HEUG Ambassador	Lidia Anderson Central Washington University HEUG Ambassador	Lorenzo Howard Florida A&M University HEUG Ambassador	Luvolwethu Mketo University of Cape Town HEUG Ambassador
Matt Hansen University of Missouri-System Office HEUG Ambassador	Monica Dietrich Bellevue University HEUG Ambassador	Patrick Beatty Michigan State University HEUG Ambassador	Sathish Sundaramoorthy Florida State University HEUG Ambassador
Shareen Thewke University of Nebraska-Central Administration System Office HEUG Ambassador	Tirumala Rao Chimpiri Stony Brook University Senior Programmer Analyst HEUG Ambassador	Tom Johnson Duke University HEUG Ambassador

💡 Why This Matters:

The YPN and the Toolkit are more than just new initiatives—they’re invitations.

Invitations to connect with peers, to step into conversations, to grow your skills, and to find your voice in the HEUG community. We’re so excited to see how you’ll use these resources, join in the conversations, and help shape the future of HEUG.

So take a look, dive in, and say hi—we can’t wait to welcome you.

Together, we’re building something special.