Tara Allendorfer recently joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business as director of alumni engagement for Graduate and Executive Education. In this newly created position, Allendorfer will set and lead the overall strategic vision for building the programs’ current alumni relationships, with specific focus on alumni referrals and career engagement.
Allendorfer spent the past 12 years of her career with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where she moved up from career services specialist to director of alumni engagement. In her time there, she used her experience in alumni engagement and student career development to build relationships, create scalable processes and lead programs that contributed to student, alumni and institutional success.
Prior to her work at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Allendorfer held positions in career services and taught professional development courses at other Michigan higher education institutions. She also has multiple professional certifications, including in leadership training, stewardship and major giving. Allendorfer holds a bachelor’s in business from Northwood University and an MBA from the University of Michigan-Flint.
A Mission to Transform Alumni Engagement
In pursuit of Haslam’s graduate program alumni engagement goals, Allendorfer will drive several initiatives, including developing and executing dynamic strategies and programming to invigorate, elevate and increase alumni engagement opportunities; establishing and nurturing positive, collaborative relationships with program alumni and industry professionals; building channels between the college and current students and alumni; and establishing the strategic direction for MBA Advisory Council activities and meetings.
Allendorfer is enthusiastic about her new challenge, saying, “I am excited and grateful for this opportunity to work with the wonderful and supportive alumni of Haslam’s graduate and executive education programs. As we work to strengthen our alumni connections, I am certain the Volunteer Spirit will carry us to greater heights of success.”
Mary Goss, executive director of graduate business programs, called Allendorfer’s background a significant asset for her new role.
“Tara brings a wealth of experience to her position as director of alumni engagement, and we are fortunate to add her to our team,” she said. “I am confident she will energize and accelerate our alumni engagement activities and attract participation from even more alumni so that they become Torchbearers, lighting the way throughout their careers.”
About the Haslam College of Business Graduate and Executive Education Programs
Haslam offers an extensive portfolio of graduate and executive education programs that prepare students to reach their full potential and advance their careers. At the master’s level, these programs include the Haslam full-time MBA, Online MBA, Professional MBA, Executive MBA (Global Supply Chain, Healthcare Leadership, Strategic Leadership), Aerospace & Defense MBA, Physician Executive MBA, Master of Accountancy, MS Management and Human Resources, MS Marketing, MS Business Analytics, MS Business Cybersecurity, MS Supply Chain Management Tri‑Continent and MS Supply Chain Management Online.
Haslam’s graduate programs address real-world challenges through an interdisciplinary approach that develops both analytical and leadership skills. Faculty are industry thought leaders, seasoned practitioners and accomplished researchers who work tirelessly to create dynamic, relevant and impactful learning experiences.
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CONTACT:
Scott McNutt, business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu
