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Alumni and Friends

  • UW has 135,000 alumni who live in 140 countries around the world
  • 13,743 alumni have 2 degrees from UW
  • 931 alumni have 3 degrees from UW
  • 47 alumni have more than 3 degrees from UW
  • Of those alumni who have kept in touch with us, more than 105,000 live in Canada
  • More than 11,000 live outside of Canada
  • More than 6,000 live in the United States

External Relations, headed by Meg Beckel, vice-president, external relations, is the university’s conduit to its alumni, private-sector donors and friends, and public-sector partners. Its primary responsibility is to provide strategic direction and co-ordination of initiatives to generate external support for UW. External Relations works closely with its community volunteer leaders to continually strengthen UW’s reputation as Canada’s "best overall" university, according to the annual reputational survey conducted by Maclean's, Canada's national newsmagazine, and as a world-renowned institution of higher education.

Communications and Public Affairs

Communications and Public Affairs (CPA) is the department dedicated to advancing UW and its mission of seeking excellence in teaching and research through internal and external communications and public relations. CPA promotes those characteristics and strengths that help make Waterloo unique among Canadian universities.

Government Relations

Government Relations supports the university’s relationships with the federal, provincial, and local governments at both the elected and civil service levels, as well as with related agencies. In addition to advancing the broad issues of funding and research that are important to faculty, staff, and students at UW, Government Relations develops strategic plans and project management resources to seek government approval of key university projects, often in parallel with private-sector support.

Office of Alumni Affairs

Alumni are one of UW's most important constituencies. With more than 135,000 alumni living in 140 countries around the world, the Office of Alumni Affairs (OAA) strives to provide meaningful ways for alumni to connect with each other and their university. OAA offers alumni-relevant programs, services, events, and publications, in order to keep graduates connected, informed, and involved in the life of UW.

Office of Development

The Office of Development has been successfully educating and cultivating key constituents of UW for more than 20 years. Building productive, long-term relationships with alumni, individuals, foundations, corporations, and public sector partners, the office has developed effective strategies and employs various fundraising methodologies to secure financial support for the university’s and faculties’ top teaching and research priorities. The office is aided in its efforts by a strong network of committed volunteers.