Friday, April 25, 2008
Print Edition
New UC executive ready to tap into huge alumni pool
- by Lucy May, Senior Staff Reporter
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Myron Hughes | The way Myron Hughes sees it, the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association is like the university's chamber of commerce.
So after spending a career at various chambers of commerce around the country, Hughes feels right at home as the association's new executive director.
"Doing economic development is basically how you build relationships with people in the community," Hughes said. "So I look at it as being one and the same. That's what we'll be focused on here."
Hughes is a 1986 graduate of UC's College of Business and a former Bearcat basketball standout. He was vice president for economic development at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce before becoming the association's executive director in February.
UC President Nancy Zimpher said that Hughes's status as a UC alum gives him the passion and credibility to engage more fellow alumni in the association's work and to explain how the university is changing.
"He's a great translator for those who graduated a lot earlier to current-day activity and the look of the university and the priorities," she said. "And he also understands that the university has to partner with its community, its alumni and with business and industry."
Hughes spoke recently with Business Courier Senior Reporter Lucy May about his new role. Excerpts follow:
Q: What is your main role as new executive director of the association?
To get all of our alumni engaged in the university as well as our current students, faculty, friends and staff more engaged in the university.
Q: How will that benefit UC long term?
If more people are engaged on the positive side of things, it can continue to build a sense of ownership with those individuals as well as future Bearcats. It strengthens the university a lot more when people have pride and ownership in what takes place.
Q: Will you ask them for money?
A little bit, but most of that is the foundation's role. I'm sort of laying the red carpet.
Q: What's been the biggest challenge so far?
It's just getting adjusted to the processes of the university. Just understanding all of the necessary protocols and procedures.
Q: And the biggest surprise?
The size of the university. I didn't realize so many people worked here, even though I sort of knew it. But having to work within the structure was a huge surprise to me. It was a city unto itself.
Q: And it's changed so much since you were a student.
Just tremendously - the new facilities, the direction the university is going in. The university is truly, truly a strong part of the community, and it's reaching out to make sure the community is part of the university as well. You see that a lot more in terms of the faculty and staff out in the community.
Q: What are your goals for your membership?
The basic goal is to get more people engaged. We also want to become a lot more transparent in the way we are going about doing business and make sure people understand the direction we're going in and make sure the student population is more engaged because that's our future.
Q: What's your membership now?
Approximately 13,000, as far as dues-paying members. We're in the process of revamping that. We'll be looking to ... include more people, so you won't have to worry about being a dues-paying member to get communications from us.
Q: Where would you like to see that number go?
I would say if we can get anyone and everyone who ever went to school here to become a part of that - that's a quarter of a million people. That's my stretch goal. Right now, we're focused on trying to do somewhere around 100,000 or 125,000 or so. ... I think it's something that's doable in the next few years.
Q: Do you like the job?
Yes. It's sort of like a homecoming for the most part. I know my way around the city. It is a different role. But UC is a great place, and I'm glad to represent it.
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