Most students at Washington State University would love to keep their experience going. While they get a high-quality education and figure out a future path, WSU students make amazing memories and friends.
When those students graduate and become alumni, it’s vital to continue that strong bond with their fellow Cougs and WSU. The first 10 years especially are a time when recent graduates can use career support, social connections, and a bit of extra financial incentive.
After being very involved as a WSU student, Kiana Mulqueeney (’18 Mgmt.) moved to the San Francisco area after graduation. “I really wanted to get ingrained with the community and have that sense of network in a geography that was kind of new to me,” she says.
The WSU Alumni Association helps in the journey through a combination of networking and social opportunities, career development resources, discounted event pricing, and tailored membership benefits.
In turn, recent graduates can give back and get involved. Mulqueeney became interim president of the Northern California WSUAA chapter in 2023. She was a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for over 17 years, and now works for the nonprofit in the Bay Area.
“The earlier we establish a connection with alumni post-graduation, the better our chances are for long-term involvement with WSU,” says Mariah Maki, WSUAA executive director and associate vice president for advancement. “We don’t want them to drift away from the university community but instead stay engaged. It’s a two-way relationship and benefits everyone.”
(Photo Robert Hubner)
Maki notes that these alums are most commonly in a transitional phase, moving from academic life to professional careers, further education, or other post-graduate endeavors. However, WSU’s multi-campus system means grads sometimes have different needs.
“What’s key is that we meet them where they are now. Over the last 10 years, graduates have changed the way they provide and receive communication, how they attend meetings and events, and how they give of their time and volunteer,” Maki says.
Evan Howard (’23 Mgmt. Info. Sys.) says one thing he needed was résumé writing help. Howard graduated from WSU’s online Global Campus while working full-time. “I worked for 13 years on tugboats and blue-collar jobs. I needed to know what white-collar businesses were looking for.” He now lives in Everett and works in IT for accounting firm KPMG.
(summa cum laude) while working fulltime on a tugboat.
(Inset: Courtesy Evan Howard/Linkedin | Background: Cindy Shebley/Alamy)
Fostering career success
Recent grads diving into their careers can benefit from mentoring, networking, career guidance, and other support from Coug Nation. “Cougs Connect was 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.
A new platform from WSUAA, Cougs Connect, helps them succeed in a number of ways.
▪ Cougs can forge links around shared affiliations, such as a living group, major, or club/organization.
▪ Mentoring groups for first-generation students, Global Campus students, and others can match up for a more formal mentoring relationship with another WSU alum.
▪ A partnership with the WSU Academic Success and Career Center delivers career support and advice, including connecting businesses and graduates at a career expo.
Howard says Cougs Connect caught his attention as a recent grad right away and he met a mentor in his profession. “It’s kind of like LinkedIn, but for Cougs,” he says.
Recent grads seeking career support—and any Coug interested in mentoring—can sign up at cougsconnect.wsu.edu. Under the Mentoring tab, you’ll find our new Career Consulting feature, a flash mentoring option offering resume reviews, interview preparation, networking tips, LinkedIn feedback, and more.
The supportive Coug community can offer guidance on navigating new communities, connecting with mentors, and finding Coug-connected businesses. While financial advice or planning isn’t provided through Cougs Connect, users can search by location to network or identify businesses and professionals—including those in finance and benefits—on the WSUAA benefits site.
Connecting with WSU beyond graduation
“Recent graduates are still connected to WSU as their alma mater,” Maki says. “They often feel a strong emotional connection to the campus they attended as well as WSU as a whole.”
Mulqueeney agrees that the larger WSU community means a lot for recent grads. In a new place, “the outlet to do things socially, to make new friends, is fairly tricky. It’s kind of hard to make friends,” she says. “We can make genuine connections because we already have that one thing in common: We’re all Cougs.”
WSUAA chapters forge that connection through a variety of events.
▪ Trivia nights, football and basketball watch parties, golf tournaments, and many other chapter and regional events bring together grads of all ages.
▪ Cougar Gold and Mistletoe events bring together alumni and other WSU community members for holiday fun. The popular gatherings have popped up all over the country, from Spokane to Arizona.
▪ Cougs can mingle at networking nights for both social and professional connections, from Austin, Texas, to Wall Street in New York City.
Offering special events
Recent graduates can join events tailored for them, often with discounted prices. For example:
▪ WSU Night at the Seattle Mariners: Back again this July, a Mariners baseball game will feature specially priced tickets and exciting giveaways—including a Mariners-themed WSU satin jacket.
▪ WSU PreGame tailgating and free watch parties: Enjoy discounted game tickets and prize giveaways exclusively for recent grads.
▪ Events throughout the country (such as WSU-In) invite recent grads to participate in panels, attend talks, and engage in events curated specifically for them.
Providing affordable benefits and connections
Graduating from college often comes with tight finances—but the WSUAA offers several affordable ways for recent grads (and all Cougs) to stay connected and involved. Staying connected through WSUAA isn’t just about school pride—it’s about building a powerful network, opening doors to new opportunities, and continuing the Cougar tradition of support and community. Whether you’re looking to grow your career, give back, or simply stay in touch with fellow Cougs, WSUAA provides meaningful ways to stay engaged at every stage of life.
Anyone can join the WSUAA, but recent grads can take advantage of membership pricing like discounted rates the first year after graduation and the special rate for Life Membership to lock in long-term savings. And, all members receive member-exclusive perks like better event pricing.
How recent Coug alumni can get involved
▪ Attend WSUAA events—many offer discounted admission for recent grads.
▪ Get involved with your local chapter or club by attending events, sharing how you’d like to engage, or volunteering to help lead an activity.
▪ Sign up for Cougs Connect to expand your professional network, find mentors, and stay connected with fellow Cougs.
▪ Serve as a role model for current students by staying active and showing what it means to be a lifelong Coug.
▪ Join the WSUAA Scholarship Committee and help select future Coug recipients.
▪ Celebrate and share your Cougar pride by submitting updates to Washington State Magazine or CougNews.
▪ Watch and support WSUAA’s new video series featuring stories from recent grads.
▪ Nominate fellow alums for the Outstanding Recent Grad Service Award to recognize those doing amazing things in their careers and communities.
No matter how they get involved, recent grads make Coug Nation even better.
“Strong alumni engagement benefits both our recent graduates and WSU by fostering career success and creating those strong Cougar community bonds,” Maki says.