As new Washington State University graduates head out to their careers, they know they can count on the large Coug alumni network for support.
Now, a new community platform from the WSU Alumni Association—Cougs Connect—makes it even easier through curated and meaningful engagement for those recent grads.
“Our new graduates and graduates of the last decade are looking for connections around specific affiliations,” says Mariah Maki, WSUAA executive director and associate vice president for advancement. “They’re looking for career support post-graduation.”
The Cougs Connect platform provides several benefits to users. Cougs can forge links around shared affiliations, such as a living group, major, or club/organization.
There are also opportunities to join specific mentoring groups for first-generation students, Global Campus students, and others, where people will be matched for a more formal mentoring relationship.
WSUAA partners with the WSU Academic Success and Career Center to deliver career support and advice too. The offices have met with businesses and graduates at the career expo and other events to promote the program. Participants from companies such as Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, and Kaiser Permanente have jumped right in.
The alumni business directory highlights Coug-owned businesses. A separate online jobs board also displays internships and open positions.
“It’s created to be as simple as Cougs sharing advice with each other, a quick phone call, résumé advice, or all the way to formal mentoring of other alumni or students,” Maki says.
Princeton Review has consistently ranked the WSU alumni network within its top 20 public institutions; in 2024, WSU was ranked no. 8. Over 245,000 Cougs across the country, with graduates from each of WSU’s six campuses, can help other WSU alumni.
“We’ve had an incredible response once we went live in September last fall—over 700 new registered participants in just over the first month!” Maki says.
WSU student regent Kassandra Vogel (’24 Econ., English), a graduate student from Vancouver, is a fan.
“I think Cougs Connect is an exciting new resource for students and alumni alike! It is invaluable to be able to see opportunities for jobs, resources, and mentoring all in one place,” Vogel says. “Considering this platform is still in its infancy, I can’t wait to see how it takes off and gets adopted by Cougs everywhere.”