Ayanna McConnell has been named the 12th president and CEO of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan.
The Alumni Association’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Oct. 26 to appoint McConnell, effective immediately. She has served as acting president and CEO since March.
McConnell has more than 25 years of experience leading student and alumni programs at U-M and Eastern Michigan University.
“Ayanna’s steadfast leadership over the past eight months, along with her expertise and ongoing commitment to university and alumni relations make her the perfect leader for our organization,” said Board Chair Mary Kay Haben.
“She brings extraordinary passion, experience and commitment to our mission and core values. We are extremely excited and confident in her proven leadership.”
Previously, McConnell served as the association’s vice president for university relations, during which she oversaw all aspects of the association’s university relations, student programs, and fundraising and development efforts.
She also led the association’s strategic initiatives in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. McConnell first joined the Alumni Association in 2011 to design the student community for the LEAD Scholars program.
A Detroit native, McConnell attended U-M before completing her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleary University and her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Eastern Michigan University.
McConnell met her husband, Rob, at U-M and lives in Washtenaw County with their two children.
She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Inkster Alumnae Chapter; The Links Inc., Ann Arbor Links Chapter; and the Michigan ACE Network. She serves on the Washtenaw Community College Women’s Council and Jewish Family Services Community Advisory Council.
“I’m beyond thrilled to lead the association as we continue to foster collaboration and strong relationships with our alumni, volunteer and university partners,” McConnell said.
“I care deeply about the association’s mission and vision and hope to use the collective power of our impressive alumni base to increase collaboration and expand our future impact.”
The appointment comes after a national search led by the board and the executive search firm Russell Reynolds.
“I’ve had the pleasure of serving with Ayanna for the past several months, and I’m confident she is the right person to lead the association toward an even brighter future, strengthening our engagement with alumni, increasing our collaboration across the community, and deepening our belonging to the Michigan family,“ said President Santa J. Ono.
The Alumni Association of U-M was founded in 1897 as a nonprofit organization independent from the university. It serves more than 668,000 U-M graduates.
