The University of Denver Office of Alumni Relations has new leadership. Jeffrey Howard returns to DU after recently serving as Director of Education and Outreach Programs for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), which included oversight of the alumni relations department.
Howard worked in a senior media relations position in DU’s athletics program from 1996–99 during its transition to Division I.
“Jeffrey brings tremendous leadership to the executive director position and will strengthen the department’s signature programs that provide DU alumni many opportunities to connect with the University,” says Ed Harris, vice chancellor for University Advancement.
Alumni Relations has revitalized its programming over the past few years to include a number of opportunities that add value to the lives of DU alumni, Harris says. Those programs include the Pioneer Alumni Network, Pioneer Alumni Legends, Pioneer Ambassadors, chancellor’s roundtables, reunions and alumni chapters.
Two programs, the Alumni Symposium and DU on the Road, began in 2007. Alumni Symposium is an annual event that offers alumni the opportunity to attend specialized course offerings on campus. The DU on the Road program serves as a key outreach platform for DU alumni to visit with University representatives in select cities. In October, DU on the Road stops include Grand Junction, Colo., St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Costa Mesa, Calif.
In addition to supervising USOC alumni relations, Howard directed education and outreach, community relations and career services. Key initiatives under his management included the Olympic Ambassador Program, Managing Victory and a campaign focused on the eradication of teen steroid use.
Howard received his undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State College in Denver and his master’s in sports management from Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (Lyon, France). Howard is married to DU alumna Gerri Gomez-Howard (MA ’93), and the couple has three children.
“Returning to DU in a capacity to help further engage the University’s alumni and advocate for the many great programs and initiatives under way on and off campus is a great personal and professional opportunity,” Howard says.