With just a third of Wolfpack alumni living within 90 miles of campus, making the trip back to Raleigh may be difficult for some, but staying connected to NC State as an alum doesn’t have to be. Whether through The Howl alumni newsletter, the NC State Alumni website, social media, event communications, there are countless touch points that keep alumni engaged no matter where they are.

Behind the work of NC State Alumni is the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving (AEAG) team. 

Follow along as Catherine Cline, marketing coordinator, takes us through one day at AEAG and see a glimpse behind keeping the Wolfpack connected. From building signage to brand oversight to Red and White Week planning, every project helps alumni stay connected to the Pack.

8:30 a.m.

Cline arrives at the Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center. She gets settled in by: 

• Reviewing tasks in the project management database and adjusting her notebook accordingly with a checklist.
• Opening her laptop and checking email.
• Catching up with her coworkers. 

Cline said, “I love starting the day with a clear to-do list. Crossing things off throughout the day is one of my favorite parts of staying organized.”

9:15 a.m.

At her desk, she:

• Preps materials for a 10 a.m. meeting with a new hire on the team.
• Meets with her supervisor to discuss Red and White Week 2026 and Park Alumni Center environmental graphics.

Cline’s coworkers sport her Wolfpack sticker designs on their laptops and on swag across the office. Regional Volunteer Network members see it in their guide. Students and families saw it in the Orientation magazine mailed to their homes before classes started. Grads see it when they receive a digital congrats card. Odds are, if you’ve been around campus during a Wolfpack alumni event, you’ve seen one of her designs at least once.

10 a.m.

Meeting with a new hire, Cline: 

• Helps share projects with the new student engagement manager, who recently joined the team and will be working closely with the Student Alumni Association (SAA).
• Explains the intersection of communications and the SAA.

“NC State is an easy place to love.”

“NC State is an easy place to love. Everyone is so passionate about it, and the students I’ve met are all so ambitious and talented,” Cline said.

11 a.m.

Around Park Alumni Center:

• Cline meets with NC State facilities to discuss hanging banners under the portico to celebrate the building’s 20th anniversary this year and to update building signage.
• She meets with her supervisor to discuss ongoing projects and next steps.

Cline said, “It’s always exciting seeing projects move from ideas on a screen to something people can experience in person.”

1 p.m.

• As part of a building refresh, Cline creates mockups for the break room. This is where the team gathers. She’s using their North Star: An engaged and invested Wolfpack community for life. This focuses and inspires the team’s work.
• Cline looks over her priorities and strategies.

“When multiple projects are happening at once, it’s important to prioritize what we need most urgently” she said.

2 p.m.

Time for coordinating:

• Red and White Week is just a few months away. Cline attends a hybrid Red and White Week planning meeting with 75 partners from across campus.
• She emails a vendor about her design for coffee sleeves. Those coffee sleeves will soon be seen all across campus and along Hillsborough Street during the week of October 25th.
• The NC State Honors event takes place in September. NC State recognizes alumni and friends whose commitment and dedication advance the university and embody the Think and Do spirit. Cline designed the awards and is responsible for ensuring they deliver on time.
• Cline ensures the NC State brand stays consistent, which is a major part of her responsibility. She creates templates for the team to ensure that consistency. Today she’s built a 35 slide presentation deck template for the team to use.

“I enjoy that my work ties into the work of the rest of the team. It’s exciting coming up with communications that will encourage alumni to stay connected to their alma mater.”

3 p.m.

Ideas come to life as Cline:

• Designs a Red and White Week banner that will be displayed in Talley Student Union. 
• Creates and organizes Red and White Week short links to track the most effective way to market to friends and alumni leading up to homecoming.
• Explores concepts that will inspire the Wolfpack to purchase a shirt in the soon-to-be-open homecoming pop-up store.

Cline expressed that she “loves being able to create something and eventually seeing the final product come to life.”

4:30 p.m.

Cline prepares for the next day by: 

• Finding a good stopping point to wrap up current projects.
• Organizing her tasks for tomorrow.
• Saying goodbye to her coworkers.