For Sarah Dunnet (‘17 BKin, ‘17 BEd), the University of Alberta has always been more than just a place of study – it has also been a cornerstone of community and connection. Her volunteer journey began as a student and brought her to the Alumni Association after she graduated. Sarah now has a wealth of experiences gained through different volunteer roles, including the Calgary Regional Chapter, the Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation Alumni Association (KSRAA), and she is currently a member of Alumni Council.  

Sarah’s volunteer involvement as a student stemmed from the advice to “Try everything - this might be the only time you go to University" which was a sentiment she embraced wholeheartedly. She eventually received the Hugh Hoyles award for her involvement on campus and commitment to student life. The experiences and relationships she built as a student were instrumental in helping her find academic success and unique opportunities after graduation.  

After completing her program, Sarah moved to Calgary to be with family, but found herself missing the connection and community she had built with the University. She joined the Calgary Regional Chapter in 2018, which proved to be a rewarding experience as she was able to be around people who understood and related to the best times of her life.  This helped her continue to build her community and home again in Calgary.  

Missing the close-knit family nature of the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, Sarah eventually joined KSRAA, where she quickly took on a leadership role. She was tasked with recruiting new volunteers and loved being able to create new opportunities for students and alumni to get involved. It was “great to bring together different generations of alumni," she explained, highlighting the joy of sharing memories and experiences, regardless of how long ago they graduated.

Sarah is now a member of Alumni Council, where she advises on programming and engagement strategies. She particularly enjoys gaining a higher level insight to the University and being able to influence the “how and why we serve alumni”. She is passionate about reshaping the narrative around alumni relations, emphasizing connection and involvement. Alumni Council also offers her the flexibility to stay involved and volunteer while living outside of Edmonton.

Sarah appreciates that she has been able to experience different volunteering opportunities as her interests and availability have shifted over the years. She encourages prospective volunteers to "Find an opportunity that meets you where you are at. Try it once - this will help you open doors", noting that “If you feel nervous, you already have something in common with your fellow volunteers - you both went to the University of Alberta!”. There are so many different options available that everyone is sure to find something that moves them. Networking with other alumni has also opened up different careers and professional doors for Sarah, as “…everyone has a very different story to learn about…it always sparks new ideas”.  

Sarah is currently a First-Year Transition Coordinator at Mount Royal University, where she runs the First-Year Mentorship Program, emphasizing the importance of volunteering and building community to support students transitioning into university. In her spare time, amidst wedding planning and settling into a new home, she enjoys travelling and exploring her athletic side through running and outdoor activities.