Volume 25, Issue 3, The Winter Edition!
Published February 2026
Embedded Files
I. Letter from the Outgoing Alumni Chair
I. Letter from the Outgoing Alumni Chair
Reese Liebman, CSE '25 / IOE '25
With 2025 wrapped up, it is my privilege and honor to write my final note as Alumni Chair and reflect on all that EGL has accomplished together in 2025. Serving in this role has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my time in EGL, and it has been a privilege to connect with so many of you who continue to embody leadership, curiosity, and global engagement beyond graduation.
This year, our community continued to grow and evolve in exciting ways. We welcomed 38 new admits into the program while celebrating 19 graduates (18 in winter and 1 in fall), sending an incredibly talented class of EGLs out into the world. The addition of our new Strategic Funding board role further expanded how we support our students and sponsor long-standing initiatives like Global Bonanza and Volunteer Abroad, helping us think more intentionally about the future of EGL and the resources needed to sustain its impact.
EGLs stayed deeply engaged in academic, professional, and leadership development throughout the year. Together, over 100 members spent 30 hours in Topics in Leadership (TiL) 1, 2, and 3, including a new case competition where teams tackled real-world business problems and presented their solutions to a panel of judges. 7 EGLs also earned awards at Spotlight!, highlighting the outstanding work, initiative, and character demonstrated across campus and within industry experiences.
One of the most inspiring parts of this year has been watching our global footprint grow. EGL students visited 4 countries through our programs, with a record 55 students participating in Volunteer Abroad, reflecting a strong commitment to service and global learning. These experiences not only offer sustained global impact and partnerships but also enrich individual perspectives and strengthen the shared identity of EGL as a community that cares deeply about impact across borders.
From the alumni side, the connection between current students and graduates has never felt more energized. Across panels, mentorship, and giving, there were over 150 moments of alumni engagement this year, demonstrating how willing our alumni are to share their time, expertise, and support. Your involvement has shaped conversations about careers, internships, life abroad, and leadership, and students consistently speak about how valuable it is to hear firsthand stories from those who have been in their place.
As Alumni Chair, it has been incredibly rewarding to help nurture these relationships and create spaces where alumni and students can learn from each other. Every email, conversation, panel, and casual check-in has reminded me how special this network is and how much EGL’s culture of support extends far beyond graduation. I am sincerely grateful for your responsiveness, enthusiasm, and willingness to show up for the next generation of EGLs.
Looking ahead, EGL is in excellent hands. The board has continued to innovate with new roles and initiatives, and the momentum from this year’s accomplishments sets a strong foundation for what comes next. While my time as Alumni Chair is coming to an end, my commitment to this community certainly is not! I look forward to staying involved in new ways as an alumnus, and continuing to work alongside many of you to support EGL’s mission.
Thank you all once again! Serving in this role has been both my privilege and my honor.
With EGLove and GO BLUE!
Reese Liebman
II. EGL Year in Review
II. EGL Year in Review
PHOTO WHEEL!!!
III. Student Society Update
III. Student Society Update
Recent Events
Recent Events
EGL Leadership Challenge
This year, we piloted an exciting case competition within our Topics in Leadership 2 (TiL 2) curriculum: a four-week simulation focussed on a cruise-line crisis, spotlighted at the November General Body Meeting (GBM). Tasked with roles as company executives responding to an environmental safety violation and PR emergency, TiL 2 students navigated complex trade-offs in transparency, stakeholder trust, and corporate responsibility under pressure.
We're incredibly proud of all participants for their thoughtful performances and innovative solutions! A special shoutout to our 2025 Developmental VP Kiersten Koenig and 2025 Leadership Chair & 2026 President Gabe Lamey for piloting this engaging activity and bringing such impactful leadership development to our community.
Global Bonanza
Global Bonanza brought EGL students together to celebrate the rich mix of cultures represented in our community and across the University through interactive booths, performances, and food from around the world. The event created a lively space for students to share their heritages and learn from one another, reinforcing EGL’s pillar of Global Education in a fun and engaging way.
Friendsgiving
Before everyone headed home for Thanksgiving break, EGL members gathered for a cozy Friendsgiving to share homemade dishes and time together. Students teamed up to prepare appetizers, entrées, and desserts, then came together to swap plates and enjoy an evening of relaxation and connection.
Working Abroad Alumni Panel
This December, we hosted a Working Abroad Alumni Panel that connected current students with alumni who are building careers around the globe. Panelists shared candid advice on navigating international workplaces, adapting to new cultures, and leveraging EGL experiences abroad. A huge thank you to our amazing panelists for sharing their time and insights, which gave students concrete guidance for shaping their own global career paths.
EGL student Leadership Challenge Participants dressed up and posed in front of the Leadership Challenge presentation screen on competition day.
Harrison Otton, 2026 Alumni Chair, presents on Tikkun Olam Makers at Global Bonanza—an organization uniting students, engineers, and designers to create affordable, open-source solutions for those in need.
The bustling Global Bonanza event room, featuring informative international booths and plenty of food!
EGLs of all ages gathered at Friendsgiving, sharing a loaded feast around the table.
Working Abroad Alumni Panel on Zoom, featuring panelists Keith Porter, Lawrence Jau, Shannon Brewer, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Nora Desmond, and Michelle Pawlow.
Board Election Results
Board Election Results
At the December General Body Meeting, EGL members gathered to elect the 2026 student board, showcasing thoughtful speeches, strong leadership, and professionalism from all candidates. Congratulations to our newly elected board members, whose energy and vision promise to carry EGL forward and build on the strong community and initiatives developed over the past year.
With the addition of the Strategic Funding Chair, EGL ensures sustainable financial support for the EGL student organizations' growth and global initiatives. By securing corporate sponsorships, grants, and strategic on-campus partnerships, this role seeks to boost internal funding for events and offset travel costs for networking and volunteer trips. Overall, it will make opportunities more accessible to members while enabling more frequent and impactful programming.
Each candidate brought such strong qualities to the table that choosing among them was no easy task. With that, we are excited to introduce the new 2026 EGL student board! Your fresh perspectives and ideas have set a high precedent for EGL’s future, and the community is eager to see how you will continue to build the organization for all members.
The 2026 EGL student board is shown below:
Top (from left to right): Joe Dib, Brenden Seabolt, Gabe Lamey, Cole Martin, Erik Mileski, Drew Ruprich, Jared Samson.
Bottom (from left to right): Kyleigh Calvert, Sophia Lustig, Mireia Garrigo, Kirin Raval, Matthew Sinanis, Harrison Otton, Maddy Wright, Makenzie Womack.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Big Decision Panel
Another initiative being planned is a virtual Alumni Panel focused on navigating major career decisions. Many EGL members have a wealth of options throughout their career, including return offers, career pivots, internship choices, and full-time decisions. EGL is hosting a virtual “Big Decisions” panel during the February General Body Meeting (GBM) (February 18th, 8-9 pm EST) with 6–8 alumni. The goal would be to discuss a significant decision you faced in your career and how you approached it, sharing your framework and philosophy with current members. If you’re interested in participating, please fill out this form.
Topics in Leadership 1 Connect Effect
It's almost time for the semi-annual TiL 1 Connect Effect session, which will include a live networking workshop as well as 1-1 networking post-sessions with alumni volunteers. This is an amazing chance to mentor a TiL 1 student and to share valuable insights from your academic and professional journey. For more details, see the Alumni Engagement Opportunities section below, or express your interest by filling out the relevant form: Live Session on April 6th | Post Session April 7th - 14th.
Detroit Alumni Dinner
One of the first initiatives the board has been working on is a Detroit Trek. This would be a one-day trip, similar in structure to the Chicago trek, including company visits followed by an EGL Alumni Networking Dinner in the evening. If you’re interested, please fill out this interest form so we can gauge participation.
Join us for dinner and a chance to connect with students and alumni! It will take place on Friday, April 10th.
IV. Fall 2025 Graduate
IV. Fall 2025 Graduate
Reese Liebman
Degrees: Computer Science ‘25, IOE ‘25
What are your plans after graduation? Working for Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab as a Threat Engineer.
What is one of your favorite EGL memories? All the overnight trips and side quests that came with them – VA, Chicago, camping, etc.
What are you most looking forward to? No homework!
How do you anticipate that EGL has prepared you for your career? EGL gave me a global understanding and perspective that's made me a more thoughtful engineer and person overall. Equally important, the constant support from alumni and being surrounded by some of UM’s highest-achieving students across classes helped me elevate my own work ethic, performance, and drive toward success.
What are you most proud of from your Michigan experience? Trusting myself and following my interests and passions, which led me to the most incredible opportunities.
V. Letter from the Incoming Alumni Chair
V. Letter from the Incoming Alumni Chair
Harrison Otton IOE '27
Hello everyone!
I’m excited to introduce myself as the incoming EGL Alumni Chair for 2026. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue building on Reese’s great work, and I’m looking forward to expanding alumni engagement through several initiatives already in progress.
A bit about me: I am a junior studying Industrial and Operations Engineering. I was a new admit last semester, and this community has already become one of the most meaningful parts of my experience at Michigan. I believe EGL is one of the best things this school has to offer, and I will thoroughly enjoy working with the people who are a part of and a product of that. In my free time, I enjoy hockey, hiking, traveling, and watching sports.
One of the initiatives I am leading is the Alumni "Big Decision" Panel, where Alumni can join a Zoom panel with current students and are asked questions about critical decisions they have made in their careers. We are looking for volunteer participants, so fill out this form if you are interested.
Another is the Detroit Alumni Dinner, similar to the Chicago Alumni Dinner, where Alumni and students eat and connect with each other in downtown Detroit. If interested, please fill out this form.
Other than that, please contact me if you ever want to reach out to the students. I would love to create more opportunities for Alumni and Students to connect with and learn from each other. Thank you again for your continued engagement with EGL. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with many of you in the coming year! You can contact me at egl.alumni.chair@umich.edu.
Best, and much EGLove,
Harrison Otton
VI. Alumni Engagement Opportunities
VI. Alumni Engagement Opportunities
EGL Alumni Slack
It was wonderful to see so many EGL alumni at the Spotlight, Homecoming, Chicago Trip, and Connect Effect events! The EGL Alumni Slack was launched last semester, and it is running well! I am excited to take over this initiative, and in conjunction with the AAB, we continue to encourage you all to join the Slack!
Click here to request to join the EGL Alumni Slack!
You’ll find channels organized by topic and region to streamline conversations:
#all-egl-alumni: General discussion and announcements
#egl-engagement-opportunities: Volunteer, mentor, and speaker opportunities
#job-opportunities: Professional openings shared by alumni
#egls-in-the-wild: Share EGL sightings
Regional channels: Connect locally in Ann Arbor, Bay Area, Chicago, NYC, Philadelphia, and Seattle
Never used Slack before? No worries! Once you join, you’ll get a direct message from GreetBot with onboarding tips, profile setup, and more! And feel free to reach out to me, Harrison Otton, at egl.alumni.chair@umich.edu!
TiL 1 Connect Effect
We're excited for this semester's TiL 1 Connect Effect, the signature event where new EGL admits meet and learn from alumni like you! There are two ways to get involved:
1. TiL Networking Panel and Workshop: Join the live panel and networking workshop on Monday, April 6th, from 6 - 8 PM at the Ross School of Business. Indicate your interest via this form.
2. Paired TiL 1 Alumni Networking Sessions: Volunteer for a 30-minute one-on-one networking or mentorship session with a TiL 1 student, taking place virtually or in person between April 7 - 14. If you’re interested, please fill out this interest form.
Based on my own experience, these conversations can make a real impact and help students navigate their own academic and career journeys. Opportunities like these to connect with alumni directly shape the EGL experience, and we truly appreciate your time, engagement, and support!
Join the Alumni Advisory Board!
The EGL Program and Student Society encourage our alumni to remain actively engaged with the EGL community by advising current students and expanding the off-campus EGL network globally. As of last year, the Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) has redrafted its charter to clearly define its role in improving both alumni-to-alumni and alumni-to-student connections.
The Alumni Advisory Board is continually seeking new members and regional leads! Serving on the AAB is a unique chance to shape core EGL Student Society programming, such as Volunteer Abroad (VA) and Topics in Leadership (TiL), and serves to strengthen the broader EGL network. Interested? Reach out to me at egl.alumni.chair@umich.edu.
President Dan Adsit (2016)
Fundraising Chair Dan Kiefer (2013)
Events and Marketing Chair Erik Knapp (2017)
Industry Chair Cassie Walls (2007)
Campaign Lead Kat Siavelis (2023)
General Member Amit Shah (2006)
General Member Katie Bevier (2012)
General Member Jonathon Morof (2016)
General Member Jonathan Opdyke (2000)
General Member Noah Barr (2003)
General Member Nick Tran (2024)
Geographical Leads
Texas **Currently Open**
Los Angeles **Currently Open**
Ann Arbor Shannon Brewer (2000)
Chicago Kat Siavelis (2023)
New York Jayanth Tatikonda (2024)
San Francisco/Bay Area Adrien Beaufils (2021)
Seattle Leila Syal (2019)
Philadelphia Keith Porter (2014)
Questions or comments about EGL or the EGLink? Email us at egl.board@umich.edu
Published by Harrison Otton, 2026 EGL Alumni Chair
EGL Honors Program
251 Chrysler Center
2121 Bonisteel Blvd
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2102
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