New Alumni Director to Lead UMD into Big Ten Era

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland has recruited Ralph Amos as the new executive director of its Alumni Association – a vital position for developing engagement and connectedness among the university’s base of 300,000 Terps.

Amos, who has spent nearly a quarter century in higher education leadership, comes to Maryland from a similar post at UCLA. He will officially start at Maryland on July 22, 2013.

“This is a real coup for us,” says UMD Vice President for University Relations Peter Weiler. “Ralph is undoubtedly one of the best alumni relations professionals in this country. We are very fortunate to have someone with his experience and leadership ability joining our team.”

As Maryland prepares to join the Big Ten Conference next year, the university will have many new opportunities and challenges, Weiler adds. “This is a big moment to reconnect and engage our base.”

At UCLA, Amos served as assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations and CEO of the Alumni Association. Since 2007, he has overseen all facets of alumni relations operations, including communications, services and policy development. He managed a staff of 55 professionals, led UCLA’s 92,000 member alumni association and was an integral member of the executive leadership team for the Division of External Affairs.

“Ralph brought great energy and a strategic mindset to his work at UCLA, and he played a vital role in enhancing affinity for the university all across the country,” says UCLA Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Rhea Turteltaub.

Prior to UCLA, Amos had a long career in similar roles at Ohio University in Athens and Ohio State University in Columbus.

“We need to generate alumni enthusiasm and participation, and Ralph will bring extraordinary energy and innovation to this task,” says the President of the Maryland Alumni Association Board of Governors Timmy Ruppersberger. “He is among the best in his field, and with our talented staff will move the association and the university forward.”

Amos received a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from The Ohio State University in 1986 and a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University in 2004.

Ralph is chair of the board of the Council of Alumni Association Executives, a board trustee and commissioner on alumni relations for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, a member of the State Universities of Ohio Alumni Associations Council and lead facilitator with LeaderShape, Inc.

Crystal Brown
UMD Chief Communications Officer
301-405-4618
crystal@umd.edu