Casting a net for alumni

Did you know Pennsylvania’s economy ranks seventeenth largest in the world? That would be ahead of Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Did you know Pennsylvania has the seventh highest number of foreign students attending its colleges and universities? There were 22,773 foreign students in 2004-05. India, China, and the Republic of Korea have the largest contingents and the most popular fields for foreign doctoral students are computer science, engineering, and mathematics.

Did you know Pennsylvania captured four percent of the international market in 2003? And that the state exported $26 billion worth of goods in 2006?

These facts and many more like them are contributing factors to move more of the international market to the Commonwealth. A look at products in heavy demand by foreign countries can be met by businesses in the state where we have a competitive advantage: food processing, biotech, pharmaceuticals, next-generation electronics, and financial services.

Unfortunately there was no easy way for foreign companies and investors to learn about what Pennsylvania has to offer. Businesses in the state were not expanding their markets globally and many small and mid-sized firms lacked the means to enter foreign markets on their own. Then World Trade PA came along.

World Trade PA has three missions: increase Pennsylvania’s share of foreign market trade, attract new direct investment for jobs and capital, and implement global networks from the colleges and universities within the state.

The Global Alumni Network is where Leigh Walter ’95m comes in. She was appointed the state’s first director for the new program designed to enhance the state’s international presence. Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the department of community and economic development (DCED), and Leigh’s boss, said, “With the Global Alumni Network, we expect to boost export opportunities for Pennsylvania businesses and profoundly increase global awareness among foreign investors of Pennsylvania’s strengths and advantages as a business investment destination. Over time, this will translate into increased employment and economic opportunities for Pennsylvanians.”

“I have a blank canvas to design a network,” said Leigh. “And as far as we know no other state has anything like it.

“I’m excited by the possibilities that exist. It’s a way to showcase higher education in Pennsylvania; a means to make our colleges and universities more attractive to the international student; a path for international alumni to connect back to Pennsylvania; and a conduit for sharing business contacts and services.”

Just imagine you want to create a business with international flair but have no idea how to begin. As Leigh sees it, one of the first places you should go would be the Global Alumni Network (www.newpa.com). Once there you could select the country or countries of interest and see a list of graduates from Pennsylvania colleges and universities who are willing to help.

She sees it being pretty specific to one’s needs as well. She agreed someone looking for contacts to ship Murano glass from Italy to Shippensburg might very well find alumni on the list who were exporters in Italy, buyers, glassblowers, custom agents, etc. who could provide information as well as needed or anticipated services and goods.

But first comes the hard part – getting the names of alumni from hundreds of college and universities in one place. So in her first few months on the job, Leigh has been, and will continue to be, on the road. Her first stop, not surprisingly, was Shippensburg.

Her message for administrators though is easy. She’s in a position to market Pennsylvania universities which will give them a greater presence in foreign countries and increase international student enrollment. And that will add to the growing numbers of alumni in the network.

But she cautions, she is still busy with establishing the foundation for an effective organization. The Global Alumni Network needs and will develop the tools to search, catalog, and communicate with the thousands of foreign-based alumni who have attended Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher learning over the years.

The network will also play a role in helping DCED’s Office of International Business Development identify new trade and investment opportunities.

Part of her visit is to gather information that will help in drafting guidelines for the various goals including a grant program that allows educational institutions and organizations to strengthen their systems for international education and overseas marketing.

While some might feel daunted by the enormity of the task ahead, Leigh seems to take it all in stride. That may be due to the qualifications she brings to the table. She has more than ten years working with and in the state government and the legislative process including serving on Senator J. Doyle Corman’s staff in the early 1990s.

She has been a registered lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Psychological and the Pennsylvania Retailers’ associations. It was with these organizations she learned the value of networking and communications. She frequently wrote articles on issues of interest to her members and provided updates on legislation and other items of interest.

Her previous position was the director of Ambassador Program and Government Affairs for the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. Some of the areas tackled by the foundation are the environment, economic growth and development, reducing the brain drain of our workforce, and local government efficiency. Team PA Foundation is also responsible for establishing the Best Places to Work awards where 100 companies are honored each year.

The Ambassador Program has an impressive list of goals that fit hand in glove with Leigh’s new position. Ambassadors network between businesses and industries to build bridges to public leaders; promote investment in and support expansion or relocation to Pennsylvania; and recruit more ambassadors to represent the state’s economic and geographic diversity. All that’s missing is the international component.
Managing 800 volunteer ambassadors can be seen as Leigh’s opening act for managing thousands of alumni expected to participate in the new program.

Through her career, Leigh has been resourceful and willing to break new ground, but she is also one to follow. She chose to follow her mother, Kay Gardner ’70m to Shippensburg, although she smiled and said, “I didn’t follow her into teaching.”

Alumni interested in the Global Alumni Network are invited to call 866-466-3972 or visit www.newpa.com to find International Alumni under International Business.