Terranze Griffin is the new director of alumni engagement at Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N). In his new role, he will engage with current and future alumni to align their needs, interests, and life stages with the goals of RU-N development and the Rutgers University Alumni Association. His long list of accountabilities includes creating strategic partnerships among RU-N units and Rutgers University Foundation colleagues to maximize support for the university’s priorities; promote philanthropic engagement initiatives; and assist in identifying, cultivating, and sustaining existing and prospective alumni networks. Having spent his entire professional career in higher education, Griffin hits the ground running.
“I have been busy meeting with the deans of the various schools to understand their priorities,” Griffin stated. “Next, I’ll meet with alumni one-on-one to establish or reestablish, as the case may be, meaningful connections. I expect to be on the go, meeting people where they are. These personal encounters are what I enjoy most about my job. I like listening to alumni stories. They passionately tell how their college experience changed their lives. I then try to find ways to help them pay it forward.”
Griffin also is excited about sharing with alumni all that is new at RU-N and Rutgers central. “Whether it’s updates about the Honors Living-Learning Community, Express Newark, Braven, new deans, or the new president, there’s plenty of good news to generate curiosity and enthusiasm about Rutgers.”
Griffin joins RU-N from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he was associate director of East Coast alumni relations for more than two and a half years. Serving the Greater New York Area, Griffin primarily served as a conduit for alumni and on-campus partners and supported alumni clubs and other volunteer committees to increase alumni engagement and regional activities. His other prior posts included associate director for regional affairs at Princeton University and associate director of regional alumni engagement at Seton Hall University.
A Delaware native, Griffin earned his bachelor’s degree in leadership and consumer economics from the University of Delaware. He returned to the University of Delaware to obtain his master’s degree in educational leadership, with a concentration in higher education administration.
Griffin’s position at Seton Hall University brought him to Kearny, New Jersey, eight years ago. “I’ve heard great things about the city of Newark and I’m looking forward to exploring all that it has to offer, especially the restaurants.”
When he’s away from the office, Griffin enjoys dining out and experiencing new cuisines, watching (not necessarily playing) football and basketball, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Most of all, he treasures his quiet time to rejuvenate so he can keep it moving and stay on top of his game when the workweek begins.
