With the Commencement of the Class of 2006, IMSA graduates now number 3363 strong and represent every Senate and House district in Illinois. Highly recruited by the top colleges and universities in Illinois and beyond, many are awarded prestigious scholarships. As undergraduate and graduate students, they receive numerous academic, research and leadership accolades. As young professionals in their 20s and early 30s, IMSA graduates and other alumni in the workforce are already making strong contributions in their fields and to society. IMSA is very proud of its distinguished alumni, and the world is a better place because of who they are, how they think and what they do.
IMSA graduates are highly recruited by the top colleges and universities in Illinois and beyond, including those with long-standing traditions of excellence and those with forward-thinking creative alternatives. Many graduates are awarded prestigious scholarships. As undergraduate and graduate students, they receive numerous academic, research and leadership accolades. Their colleges and awards are impressive.
As young professionals in their mid-20s and early-30s, IMSA graduates are already making strong contributions in their fields and to society. They conduct research in ecology, infectious diseases and astronomy. They work for multi-national Fortune 500 companies as consultants in E-commerce and as design engineers. They fly jets for the U.S. Navy. They design and manage complex data communication systems. They are math and science teachers and professors, inspiring and challenging the next generation of learners and leaders. They are successful entrepreneurs, founding and managing leading-edge companies that fuel economic development. They excel in humanities and the arts, and many contribute to the betterment of society through their civic and professional activities.
The Longitudinal Study of IMSA Graduates indicates that these remarkable young women and men are decidedly different learners" who can think critically, conduct high-level research, find and solve problems, understand complex patterns and multiple perspectives, tolerate ambiguity, and see and deal effectively with "the whole picture
not just some of the parts.
The profiles and testimonials of IMSA alumni speak volumes about the distinctiveness and value of the IMSA way
and the strong ROI -- return on investment and return on innovation -- IMSA is delivering to our state, nation and world.
How Alumni Support IMSA
IMSA alumni give back to their alma mater in a variety of ways, and their gifts of time, talent and treasure strengthen IMSAs capacity to deliver on its legislative charges, mission and vision.
As program volunteers, alumni support the academic and residential program for IMSA students and some of the Academy's statewide professional development programs for Illinois teachers and enrichment programs for other Illinois students. They also help with technology projects, recruitment of prospective students, legislative contacts, media interviews and special events.
Alumni also provide strategic counsel to IMSA board, administrative and program leaders as members of the IMSA President'"s Alumni Advisory Council, IMSA Fund Board of Directors and Admissions Student Review Committee and as the liaison to the IMSA Board of Trustees.
As donors to the IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education, alumni make possible valuable programs and services that otherwise could not be funded. Their financial contributions support programs and services for the constituents IMSA serves, essential institutional infrastructure needs, and operations of the IMSA Fund, as well as the work of the IMSA Alumni Association.