Dr. Heriet Kudakwashe Mhondiwa

Profile

What are your motivations for applying for the role?

My motivation to lead the alumni club is deeply personal and stems directly from my experience as a doctoral student representative. During my time in that role, I saw firsthand the powerful impact that a strong, supportive community can have on its members. I was driven to create a more connected and engaged environment, not just for my peers but for the university's wider community. The initiatives I championed - from fostering a global online community of over 200 students to establishing a peer-to-peer buddy system and running online writing retreats - were all born from a desire to combat isolation and build a sense of belonging.

The Alumni Club represents the next logical step in this journey. I am motivated by the potential to scale these grassroots efforts into a comprehensive, global network that serves all graduates. My goal is to leverage the immense talent and diverse experiences of our alumni to create a vibrant, lifelong community that provides tangible value and support, both professionally and personally.

What skills and experience would you bring to the role?

My experience as the Doctoral student representative has equipped me with a unique and relevant skill set to lead the alumni club.

Community Engagement & Leadership: As the Postgraduate Research Representative of the year 2023, and nominated for the year prize, I have a proven track record of actively engaging with a diverse, international cohort of students and alumni. I established and managed a vibrant WhatsApp group with students from different countries and nationalities, fostering a collaborative space for sharing information on academic and school life. My ability to create and manage this and other digital communities, including connecting colleagues on LinkedIn and through various Teams meetings to discuss career and other issues, demonstrates my capacity to lead and foster a critical skill in today's world.

Program Development & Execution: I successfully conceptualized and implemented new programs such as a peer-to-peer buddy system, where colleagues at the same stage of research could connect and share ideas and the online writing retreats. These weekly retreats, along with regular meetings with faculty, show my ability to identify community needs, design effective solutions, and execute them from concept to completion. These initiatives ensured my peers felt they were part of a group, keeping them accountable and tracking their progress, while also providing real benefits to their participants.

Networking & Interpersonal Skills: I proactively sought to connect with colleagues and also connecting postgraduate colleagues with alumni whom I personally identified from LinkedIn. These alumni were from countries such as Uganda, UK, Ukraine, UAE and Germany. Additionally, during my travels to other countries, I made sure to meet up with colleagues resident in those countries like South Africa and the UK, which highlights my commitment to building and maintaining strong relationships across geographical boundaries. My ability to forge these personal connections is essential for cultivating a strong and active alumni network.

What would be your top three priorities during your term as President?

If elected, I would focus on three key priorities to revitalize and grow our alumni community:

1. Enhance Professional Networking and Mentorship: I will establish a formal, cross-generational mentorship program to connect recent graduates with experienced alumni. This initiative will not only provide career guidance but also facilitate knowledge transfer and create valuable professional pathways for all members.
2. Foster a Global and Accessible Digital Community: Building on the success of the online writing retreats and the global WhatsApp group, I will launch a dedicated digital platform to host virtual events, skills-sharing workshops, and regional networking groups. This will ensure that our alumni, no matter where they are in the world, feel connected and can actively participate in the community.
3. Strengthen Engagement and Visibility: I will work to increase the visibility of our alumni network both within the university and externally. This will include creating a series of spotlight features on prominent alumni, organizing collaborative events with different departments, and launching targeted campaigns to showcase the achievements of our graduates who are based in different countries, encouraging more widespread participation and pride in the alumni club. In addition, I will listen to alumni concerns to ensure they are heard and addressed timeously.