Growing U-M’s global impact: IAAC charts the path ahead

By Sara Carrier | Photos by Marc-Grégor Campredon

For over 130 years, the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan has been connecting Wolverines to each other across the globe—one of these ways is through the International Alumni Advisory Council. The University of Michigan has almost 700,000 alumni around the globe. While U‑M has more than 100 top-ranked programs for students, alumni are frequently most concerned with the connections that exist when leaving Ann Arbor.

While the largest population of alumni live within the United States, a thriving population of
nearly 70,000 international alumni reside across the globe. The Alumni Association—in partnership with the International Giving team at the Office of University Development—has fostered international alumni engagement for decades. Through events such as the Pan-Asia Alumni Reunion and annual regional receptions in key cities around the globe, international alumni are given the opportunity to bond with one another over their Michigan spirit after departing Ann Arbor. As this population continues to grow and the Alumni Association evolves, the IAAC helps ensure that we are the leaders and best in engagement around the world.

The IAAC was established in 2019 and now has 15 members who are proud alumni from five different U‑M schools and colleges. The council has representation from China, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Some IAAC members are alumni club volunteers, board members, or club presidents, while others are not club-affiliated, but have interest in supporting AAUM’s international alumni and initiatives. All IAAC members proudly donate not only their time and effort, but also annual funding to ensure that AAUM’s international programming continues strong. 

In fall 2025, the IAAC gathered for their annual on-campus meeting to reconnect with one another, welcome four new members, meet with AAUM leaders, and attend a Michigan football game. The weekend kicked off at the Alumni Association where members heard updates from President & CEO of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, Ayanna McConnell. President McConnell introduced James DeVaney, special advisor to the president, founding executive director of the Center for Academic Innovation, and associate vice provost for academic innovation, who was this year's guest speaker. The council members gained a sense of the university’s innovation efforts and global reach. Council members asked questions and shared feedback on ways the university’s digital ecosystem—which delivers life-changing education to millions in Michigan and around the world—can grow and improve.

The speaker docket and energy of the annual on-campus gathering made it the perfect moment to welcome IAAC’s four new members. One shared her motivation for joining:

“U‑M truly transformed my life—I arrived with no international experience, but the university's education and network enabled me to build a career in the U.S. and transition into venture capital, an entirely new field for me. When navigating the job market after graduation, every alum I reached out to was willing to help, making introductions that proved invaluable to my success. Now, I want to pay that forward. U‑M gave me a world-class education, a supportive community, and the confidence to pursue what I'm passionate about. So when I learned about the International Alumni Advisory Council, I knew I had to get involved and help U‑M create a stronger community to better support international students and alumni.”
— Yoshimi Nomura (MBA ’16), IAAC Member

A second new council member reflected on the same topic, adding:

“I joined the U‑M International Alumni Advisory Council because I believe the Michigan spirit shouldn't stop at the borders of Ann Arbor. I wanted to help bridge the distance for our international community, ensuring that no matter where we are in the world, we remain connected to the university and to one another. It is about keeping that incredible global family strong.”
— George Yeh, (MBA ’99), IAAC Member

 

These reflections highlight the shared commitment that drives the IAAC and strengthens U‑M’s international alumni community. As the council continues to grow, AAUM invites alumni from all international regions to learn more about its work and consider getting involved. For questions about IAAC or to express interest in joining, please contact Eun Ja Yu at [email protected].