PLC Alumni Newsletter - The September 2025 Edition | Presidents Leadership Class

PLC Alumni Newsletter - The September 2025 Edition

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Hello PLC Alumni! The Buffs are back for a new school year, which means we're back for a new alumni newsletter! My name is Maneesh Gundluru, and I am the new alumni connections coordinator! I'm now responsible for writing the alumni newsletter this school year, so I can't wait to connect and share stories, experiences, and events happening across PLC both on and off campus!

Before we really dive deep into the new surroundings, I thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce myself first so we can really establish a connection from the start throughout the school year! As stated before, I'm Maneesh. I'm a sophomore studying Aero with a minor in Leadership Studies through PLC! I wanted to join student staff to help contribute to making a difference in the way leadership is instilled while having an opportunity to give back to PLC for everything it has done for me and will continue to do for others.

We've added two new layers that we're excited to share: PLC Family Tree and our new shift to a full community PLC Fall Retreat to kick off the school year! We think these will help PLCers establish meaningful connections sooner, and we're proud of their inaugural launch!

Fall Retreat

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In late August, PLC kicked things off with a new community-oriented Fall Retreat! PLC did something different this year: instead of our standard first-year kickoff, we decided to have an overnight retreat at Camp Tumbleson Lake for all four cohorts, instead of a first-year kickoff. This allows us to start off the right way: connected, with one another to really highlight what PLC is about, an organization that builds a community of leaders. This was a great time for all of PLC cohorts to get together and kick off the new school year as one massive community for an entire weekend! It was also an amazing, and proper welcome for first years into our PLC family! We also introduced another new initiative to help start off the year connected: PLC Family Trees and Family Olympics! PLC Family Trees are a new initiative where we hope to strengthen bonds across all four cohorts and beyond, by introducing “Families” consisting of members from all four cohorts. We further encouraged this idea by having PLCers compete in the PLC Olympics in their family tree groups, rather than their recitations. Additionally, our current PLCers across all cohorts got the opportunity to meet some members from our own Board of Advocates and truly explore how far PLC goes into our world! Overall, it was another successful Fall Retreat, and we can't wait for next year's retreat already. Thank you to everyone who showed up!

Professional Development Updates

Networking Workshop

We've had a great start to our Professional Development in PLC! Just last week, we hosted our first networking workshop, which coached students on multiple aspects of networking that are crucial to building those relationships and connections in the real world. PLCers had the opportunity to dig deep into how to make themselves ore presentable and confident for networking, from building and practicing elevator pitches to one another, learning about the 2-2-2 rule, all which were greatly valued in our feedback system! Our first workshop of the school year was a great success, and we hope to continue these efforts as we move into our next workshop, the resume workshop. Stay tuned!

Industry Nights

Our first Industry Night was September 24, with our theme being our Future Forward! This industry night, students had the opportunity to connect and hear from alumni in emerging careers. We had discussions about AI, Cybersecurity, Economics, and other fields that are currently emerging or undergoing incredible transformations both in the workplace and in culture due to recent innovations and upgrades in technology. Our next industry night is our Engineering Industry coming up as well on October 7th, so be sure to look out for updates on both in the near future. Later in the semester, we are going to be having Industry Nights for Business, Healthcare, and Law + Political Science. If you would like to be involved in a future Industry Night, PLEASE reach out, we would love to have you! You can contact us at maneesh.gundluru@colorado.edu, paige.walker@colorado.edu, Jason.B.Hanson@colorado.edu.��

Alumni Match Program (AMP)

AMP is back, and applications are now open until September 26th! In the past, AMP has been a unique opportunity for our alumni to reconnect and give back by mentoring current scholars. This semester-long program fosters leadership growth, meaningful connections, and shared experiences between alumni and students.

With a flexible time commitment, AMP allows you to share your journey, provide guidance, and empower the next generation of leaders—all while strengthening the PLC community and its values of leadership, service, and lifelong learning.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, your story and insights can make a lasting impact. Sign up today to be part of this inspiring program and help shape the future of PLC. Once again, applications close September 26th at 11:59 PM

PLC AMP Alumni Sign Up Form

Board of Advocate Members

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I'd also like to take this incredible opportunity to introduce our new and returning Board of Advocate Members! Our Board members for 2025-2026 include: Larry Allen, Tiffany Anderson, Dana Blake, Stacy Baum, David Davenport, Shaun Davies, Ashley Elmblad, David Ettenger, Forrest Hobbs, Kevin Kearney, Mike Kercheval, Garret Mayberry, Olivia Omega, Dr. Joe Pesce, Cassandra Roeca, Robin Struve, Catherine Tinucci, and Keri Ungemah, alongside our Co-Chairs, Abby Robertson and Rick Wilhelm. Personally, I am excited to work with these amazing alumni and attend board meetings with them. Once again kudos to their commitment and for stepping up as our Board!

Upcoming Opportunities

Fall 2025
- 9/26 … Deadline to sign up for the Alumni Match Program
- 10/7 … Industry Night – Innovate & Engineer: Building Tomorrow’s World
- 11/1 … PLC will have a Homecoming Tailgate at the Koenig Alumni Center ()
- 11/11 … Industry Night – Business Beyond Borders: Driving & Innovation Impact
Spring 2026
- 1/19 … Industry Night – Life & Lab: Discoveries in Science and Medicine
- 2/24 … Industry Night – Purposeful Pathways: Law, Advocacy, & Non-Profit Leadership
- Early March … Buffs All In – consider supporting one of the PLC funds
- 3/30 … Industry Night – Green Futures: Climate, Conservation, & Environmental Innovation
- March/April … Alumni Spring Lecture + alumni cross-over event for graduating PLCers
- TBD … Industry Night – The Path Not Taken: Unique Careers and Unconventional Journeys

Don't forget to stay up to date, not only with our events, but with your information as well! Visit the Alumni Webpage, the one-stop shop for all things alumni!

Alumni Webpage

Thank You!

Once again, we would like to thank you all who have put your time, talent, and treasure into PLC over the years. It's because of funding from our alumni that we are able to continuously expand on our resources that we can offer to our current PLCers to help their leadership enrichment. We would not be able to host our workshops, industry nights, and other activities with the quality of tools that we have without each and every one of you. We couldn't get there without you and we appreciate all of your generous support towards current and future PLCers.

Till the next newsletter!

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