Alumni Leadership
What is a Board Rep?
The mission of the Board of Representatives is to determine and implement the Association’s strategic direction with the sole purpose of upholding the Association’s Mission as elected representatives of the entire alumni association and in alignment with the mission and goals of the University.
Network and Engagement
- Establish and build a strong network of alumni locally, regionally, nationally and internationally; maintain regular communication via direct contact, email blasts, print publications, web pages and social media outlets
- Serve as a voice for the alumni of the Sohokai Alumni Association
- Create greater awareness of engagement opportunities by promoting Sohokai Alumni Association events, strategically engage alumni by providing tangible benefits, strengthen current programs and create new initiatives
- Communicate beneficial information including, but not limited to: Soka news, career opportunities, alumni updates, giving opportunities, events, and more
- Secure commitments from alumni to provide professional expertise as well as identify and cultivate alumni volunteer leaders.
Liaison between Alumni and SUA
- Serve as the primary liaison between Soka University and Sohokai members around the world
- Welcome graduating students and educate about alumni benefits and engage them in programs
Duties and Logistical Responsibilities
- Arrange meetings, establish committees, support/oversee Class Representatives and Regional Chapters,Committees and ensure strong and productive relationships between its members
- Preside at meetings of the Board and at general meetings of the Association
- Ensure accurate and complete alumni database records including contact, biographical and career information via surveys, correspondence, website, etc
- Collect and maintain databases on updates of the membership for both the Association and SUA
- Promote and encourage alumni to nominate and self-nominate for the Class Representative positions
- Promote and encourage alumni to apply for Regional Chapter Representative, Professional Interest
Group Representative, and Affinity Group Representative roles - Support the continual development and growth of Regional Chapters, Professional Interest Groups, and Affinity Groups
- Promote and encourage alumni to run for candidacy in the annual General Elections for the Alumni Board of Representatives
- Coordinate and oversee the nomination and voting proceedings for the Board of Representatives, Class Representatives, Regional Chapter Representatives, Professional Interest Groups, and Affinity Groups.
- Promote alumni giving and/or fundraising opportunities.
- Other duties as assigned.
As a member of the Sohokai Alumni Association Board of Representatives, you will have an enriching opportunity to give back to your alma mater and a deeply rewarding chance to strengthen your connections in our inspiring alumni network. Through participating behind the scenes and in various events, you will have opportunities to gain leadership experience and develop new skills in event planning and implementation, developing and strengthening the alumni network, and managing various alumni committees.
Three years.
- Alumni members shall be in good standing, as prescribed in Section 2.3 and may not be going through a Conduct and Resolution process at the time of application
- Alumni members shall be supportive of the mission of the University.
- Alumni members shall be a financial donor to the University and must have donated at least once within the (1) one year prior to submitting a candidacy application.
- Alumni members shall prepare: an application (as described in Section 6.4), a short biography, and a personal statement on the mission of Soka University of America and the Sohokai Association.
- Alumni members should be aware of the time commitment required for equitable participation by all Representatives on a Board of Representatives (e.g., a globally-based board).
Roles & Responsibilities
Representative Position Roles
The primary role of a Regional Chapter Leader is to strengthen their regional network, organize local events and gatherings, and connect and communicate with alumni living in their region. Regional Chapter Leaders are appointed to serve a three- to five-year term.
Practical Responsibilities
- Communicate pertinent information to alumni living in their regional chapter
- Plan at least one event or gathering per year
- Keep an up-to-date record of alumni living in that area
- Teleconference with the Board of Representatives every quarter
Regional Chapters
The regional chapters were established to play a key role in the global development of the alumni association’s network by creating more opportunities for alumni to connect at local gatherings and events attuned to a city’s culture and vibe. Below are the officially recognized regional chapters.
To establish a regional chapter, please email us at Sohokai@soka.edu.
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Kenta Kuwano, Class of 2018
Yoshimi Watanabe, Class of 2020
Email: TokyoSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Lisa Kawai, Class of 2006
Scott Bower, Class of 2015
Email: LosAngelesSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Aaron Freedman, Class of 2012
Email: NewYorkSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Akiko Sato, Class of 2012
Shohei Sekine, Class of 2016
Email: KansaiSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Ippei Shibata, Class of 2007
Heather Davis, Class of 2008
Email: DCSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Lisa Utsumi, Class of 2007
Margarita Cherubini, Class of 2008
Email: EuropeSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Nicole Inamine, Class of 2015
Stuart Adams, Class of 2015
Email:BayAreaSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Nancy Ngo, Class of 2015
Nobuko Miyama, Class of 2016
Email: OrangeCountySohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
EunYi Chung, Class of 2005
Email: MidwestSohokai@soka.edu
For information regarding events and activities, please contact the representatives below.
Yuko Miyama, Class of 2011
Anri Tanabe, Class of 2011
Email: NewEnglandSohokai@soka.edu
Class Representative Roles & Responsibilities
Position Description
The primary responsibility of a Class Representative is to connect to classmates, strengthen their class network, and be the voice of their class. Class Representatives are nominated to serve a 3-year term.
Practical Responsibilities
- Knowing the heartbeat of your class by connecting with your classmates, strengthening your class network, and staying current with their significant updates or needs.
- A quarterly teleconference to connect with other class representatives and the Board.
- Help plan, organize, and implement activities for the annual alumni meeting and other significant class-related celebrations.
Class Representatives
Vincent Mapili & Maria Sanchez
Email: Sohokai2005@soka.edu
Anna Ikeda & Tetsuo Motoi
Email: Sohokai2006@soka.edu
Bob Ono & Miyuki Kitada
Email: Sohokai2007@soka.edu
Alma Law (Communicator)
Email: Sohokai2008@soka.edu
Tariq Hasan & Sonal Malkani
Email: Sohokai2009@soka.edu
Hitoshi Nishina & Toshi Takahashi
Email: Sohokai2010@soka.edu
Maya Ono (Communicator)
Email: Sohokai2011@soka.edu
Nandini Choudhury & Ritsuko Rita
Email: Sohokai2012@soka.edu
Kiyoshi Akasu (Communicator)
Email: Sohokai2013@soka.edu
Yasuyuki Niimi & Hiroko Tanaka
Email: Sohokai2014@soka.edu
Indigo Ross & Nick Peck
Email: Sohokai2015@soka.edu
Phebe Chew & Yeji Mowrer
Email: Sohokai2016@soka.edu
TBA
Email: Sohokai2017@soka.edu
Hillary Kim & Preandra Noel
Email: Sohokai2018@soka.edu
Takumi “Brian” Hirayama & Tam Ngo
Email: Sohokai2019@soka.edu
Mark Chia & Eiji Toda
Email: Sohokai2020@soka.edu
Masahiro Yokoyama
Email: Sohokai2021@soka.edu
TBA
Email: Sohokai2022@soka.edu