Alumni Engagement works with the regional associations, affinity groups and classes to help connect them with faculty, administrators and athletic coaches for speaking engagements that keep Princeton alumni connected to the intellectual life of the University. You may request a University speaker for your regional association event through the Alumni Engagement Speakers Bureau Program.

In general, we send one in-person University speaker per academic year to each regional association, affinity group and class. We base decisions on many factors, including the size and activity level of the requesting associations, affinity groups and classes.

Recent Speakers Bureaus events include:

• Rory Truex, Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs, visited with the Class of 1960 at Beaumont, Bryn Mawr, PA and spoke about political cycles in contemporary China. October 2022
• Darleny Cepin, Assistant Dean for Student Life Mathey College, visited the Princeton Club of Rochester and recounted her reflections on student life at Princeton regarding community, engagement, health and wellbeing. April 2023
• Jim Barlow ’91, Head Coach, Men’s Soccer, spoke in-person to the Princeton Club of Vero Beach with an update on the men’s soccer program. April 2023
• Olga Russakovsky, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, visited the Princeton Club of Austin where she delivered “Fairness in Artificial Intelligence Visual Recognition.” May 2023
• Adam Burrows, Professor of Astrophysical Sciences, spoke in-person to the Princeton Alumni Association of Rhode Island about recent excitement and highlights in astronomy. May 2023
• Reena Goldthree, Assistant Professor of African American Studies, gave a virtual precept, “Writing for La Raza de Color: Afro-Latino Intellectuals and the Harlem Renaissance,” to the Association of Latino Princeton Alumni, the Association of Black Princeton Alumni, the Association of Graduate Princeton Alumni, and the Princeton Club of Northern California. May 2023

Q: How do I request a University speaker for my event?
A: You will need to submit a Speakers Bureau Request Form. Please note that we ask for four months’ advance notice to allow for time to secure a speaker for you.

Q: What are the steps to plan a Speakers Bureau event?
A: When you submit the Speakers Bureau Request Form, you will provide the following information:

• Proposed location for your event and type of venue (home, restaurant, lecture hall, country club)
• 2-3 possible dates for your event
• Preferred speaker, topic and/or field
• How many people you anticipate will attend you event

Working through these questions will provide an outline of your event. Once you submit the form, the process is as follows:

• You will receive an email from Alumni Engagement confirming receipt of your request.
• Alumni Engagement will work to secure a speaker for you. Once a speaker has been secured, you will be contacted and asked to provide additional event details.
• Alumni Engagement will make travel arrangements for the University speaker to attend your event.

Q: Who are the participants in the Speakers Bureau available to speak to my alumni gathering?
A: We work with our University speakers to find a time and date that is convenient both for the alumni and the speaker; this is not always possible for a given speaker, and we will work with you to find another outstanding speaker for your event.

Q: Who pays for the Speakers Bureau events?
A: Alumni Engagement pays for all travel expenses for the University speakers. Regional associations send out the invitations, process any ticket payments and pay all costs associated with the event itself, such as payments for the venue, food and beverages.

Q: What should I target for attendance for my Speakers Bureau event?
A: On average, 30-50 guests is a good attendance goal for small and medium-sized associations; large associations should aim for 80 guests.

Q: If I have questions about the Speakers Bureau, or would like to discuss it, whom should I contact?
A: Please contact Ann Healy Guarnaccia at annbg@princeton.edu or 609-258-7305. Additional information is available on the Speakers Bureau Request Form.

The Princeton University Speakers Bureau, under the auspices Alumni Engagement, offers faculty members, administrators and coaches from across the University the opportunity to serve as keynote speakers for our regional alumni associations throughout the country.

Regional association and affiliated group officers may request a speaker by submitting the Speakers Bureau Request Form.