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Increase alumni engagement.

That’s one of Peggy Pattison’s goals this year as she assumes the role of 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s director of alumni relations.

Pattison filled the vacancy on Jan. 23.

She brings more than 26 years of nonprofit experience to 51��Ƶ-Dearborn. An extensive background in volunteer management, strategic planning, organizational development and communications is sure to benefit Pattison in her new role.

“I look forward to the opportunity to meet and work with all of you in the near future and in expanding the opportunities for alumni engagement at University of Michigan-Dearborn,” she said.

Pattison will provide senior leadership in Institutional Advancement and oversee activities that engage more than 40,000 alumni. Her overall goal is to increase alumni volunteerism and engagement.

She plans to work closely with representatives from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters, College of Business, College of Engineering and Computer Science and School of Education.

Pattison expects to play a major role in increasing the University’s visibility throughout southeast Michigan. She also serves as liaison to the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan (AA51��Ƶ).

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Peggy’s experience and I look forward to working with her closely to expand the impact that our alumni can have on the mission of the University,” said Cecile Aitchison, associate vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement.

Before accepting the position at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn, she worked with alumni at Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The campus community has an opportunity to meet and greet with Pattison from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Alumni Center, Administration Building Room 1190. Alumni volunteers also are welcome to stop by from 5 to 6:30 p.m.