Recent Graduate Volunteer Resources
The HAA defines Recent Graduates from the College as up to 10 years out from graduation. The documents below outline best practices and resources for volunteers and class engagement opportunities. In addition to browsing the individual documents by topic, you can view them all 26 in one combined handbook.
Additional Reunion resource documents for all classes can be found on this page. Additionally, please be sure to check out the Non-Reunion Event Support, HAA Email Service, and External Email Client best practices documents, as well as Resources for Celebrating Harvard Alumni Day and Class Committee Roles 1997-2025.
Looking for professional development resources? Be sure to check out this interactive PDF and share with your classmates (also available as a standard PDF).
Discovering Volunteer Opportunities
This document visually shows various College and class-based Harvard Alumni Association volunteer opportunties for undergraduates and recent graduates and also outlines what serving in one role means for serving in others.
Connecting with Recent Grad Volunteers
This document outlines how you can update your HAA Alumni Directory profile to include your volunteer role so other recent graduate College volunteers can find you, and how you can use the Directory to find other recent graduate College volunteers.
College Class Committee Alumni Life Responsibilities
The priority of a Class Committee is to bring the Class together as a whole, connecting members of the Class to each other and Harvard College by modeling and facilitating communication, participation, volunteerism, and philanthropy among classmates. This document defines the responsibilities of individual College Class Committee members in alumni life.
Guidance to Class Committees: Alumni Years 1-10
This document provides an overview of major responsibilities for the Class Committee leadership following graduation. Class Committee members have flexibility beyond the responsibilities outlined in the document, and are also welcome to consult with HAA staff members at any point about the best ways to engage their Class! This is a living document, so please share any questions or potential updates with HAA staff.
Helpful Links for College Recent Graduate Volunteers
This document contains helpful links to Harvard Alumni Association websites and email addresses, as well as other post-graduation resources.
Activities Chairs
Activities chairs (also known as city captains or regional chairs) are College alumni volunteers who support their Class Committees in non-reunion years. They bring classmates and alumni from surrounding classes together in their post-grad cities and regions, serving as key players in keeping College alumni connected to each other. You can learn more by reading the role description, onboarding document, and those who are not on the Class Committee can sign up on this form!
Best Practices for Recent Graduate First and Second Marshals
This document outlines leadership best practices for recent graduate Class Committee First and Second Marshals. This includes guidance for the ten years of recent graduate alumni life, but we hope this information will be helpful to you as you lead your Class Committee and class in the years beyond.
Best Practices for Recent Graduate Class Secretaries and Media Team
This document outlines communications best practices for recent graduate Class Committee Secretaries and Media Team members. While this might be most helpful for those in these roles, other Class Committee members should be aware of this information as well.
Best Practices for Recent Graduate Class Treasurers
This document outlines budgeting and expenses best practices for recent graduate Class Committee Treasurers. While this might be most helpful for those in the Treasurer role, other Class Committee members should be aware of this information as well. It outlines options for how classes can use their funds or raise additional funds after graduation up until the 5th Reunion, and can also be a model for between the 5th and 10th Reunion, and beyond!
Best Practices for Recent Graduate Program Marshals and House Representatives
This document outlines programming best practices for recent graduate Program Marshals and House Representatives. While this might be most helpful for those in these roles, other Class Committee members should be aware of this information as well. It outlines roles and responsibilities, planning an event, collaborating with other College volunteers, publicizing upcoming events, sending communications, budgeting and funding, and more.
HAA Recent Graduate Engagement Committee
The Recent Graduate Engagement Committee (RGEC) of the Harvard Alumni Association facilitates the meaningful engagement of Harvard College recent graduates to each other and the larger Harvard alumni community. Class Committee leaders will form a community of practice to support their leadership efforts and strengthen their class engagement endeavors. This document provides an overview of the committee.
Student Engagement Opportunities
There are many opportunities for recent graduates to engage with, support, and mentor current Harvard College undergraduates. This document provides an overview of some of these opportunities.
Volunteering to Mentor Recent Grads
Recent graduates are encouraged to connect with each other for advice, mentorship, and support. This is a simple and impactful opportunity for older recent graduates to be able to help younger recent graduates. This document outlines how you can do this via the HAA Alumni Directory.
Entering the 5th Reunion Year
Harvard reunions are held every five years (currently 5th-70th). There are three major aspects of a Harvard reunion, which allow for different forms of engagement:
- Come back: Attend virtual and in-person programming
- Give back: Make your best gift to the Harvard College Fund as part of a class-wide fundraising campaign
- Share your story: Submit your Class Report entry
This document outlines what you can expect as you enter your 5th Reunion year.
5th and 10th Reunion Committee Member and Chair Responsibilities
This document contains information that will be helpful when recruiting Reunion Program Committee members and Chairs for the 5th and 10th Reunions. It gives an overview of the roles and the committee in general, as well as specific expectations and responsibilities for committee members and Chairs.
5th and 10th Reunion Program Committee Initial Tasks
This document outlines typical initial tasks for 5th and 10th Reunion Program Committee Members and Chairs. It includes suggested first steps for all committee members, Chairs, and subcommittees. The actual subcommittee structure will vary and be based on the interests of the Reunion Program Committee.
5th and 10th Reunion Typical Class Emails
This document outlines typical suggested class-wide email topics for the 5th and 10th Reunions, beyond the messages the HAA will manage regarding on-campus programming and registration and all-reunion class virtual programs.
Transitioning out of the 5th Reunion Year
While you will see increased class engagement during your reunion year, it doesn’t need to stop when the reunion year ends! Programming from your reunion year might inspire your class to create new traditions or continue holding certain types of events. This document includes helpful information as your class transitions out a reunion year and into a non-reunion year.
Entering the 10th Reunion Year
This document includes helpful information as your class moves into the 10th Reunion year, which will be the conclusion of your recent graduate experience.
Transitioning out of the Recent Graduate Cohort
As you conclude your 10th Reunion, you will move out of the recent graduate cohort and into the next one. As part of this transition, you will be assigned a new staff liaison who works with the classes 11-30 years out. You can review this document for guidance on the transition out of the recent graduate cohort.