David Sommers is the Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life. He oversees risk management and student conduct for the office. He also advises the Interfraternity Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

"As a proud Augustana alumni, I want to give back to the current students. Augustana helped connect my passion to an amazing career. I hope to help current students explore their passion and provide tools to take the next step. Augie taught me so much, and I want to be able to share my knowledge, connections, and experience with students who will change this world. I can offer current students critical knowledge and experience who are looking to explore a career in higher education. While I specialize in Fraternity and Sorority Life, I have experience working with additional functional areas and communities such as admissions, conduct, student activities. risk reduction, residential life, and multicultural student life."

Graduation year: 2016

Post-grad: Masters of Education with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership

Majors: Communication studies and political science

On-campus activities: SGA, Camp Kesem, Greek Life (Rho Nu Delta affiliated), varsity swimming

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• Best way to contact him: Email or phone, 805-433-2369

Angie Sharp is the anchor for "Good Morning Quad Cities" at WQAD-TV in Moline, Ill.

"I am here for whatever students need — job shadows, networking, advice, coffee chats, etc.!"

Augustana graduation year: 2008

Majors: Speech communication, English

Campus activities: Augustana Choir, Augustana Vikettes Pom Squad, Delta Chi Theta Sorority, Office of Student Activities, WVIK Radio, Augustana Observer

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• Best way to contact her: Email

Arsal Shareef is the national sales manager for O'Rourke Sales Company in Davenport, Iowa.

"The desire to participate in the Viking Connections program is to pay forward the opportunity Augustana College gave me to be successful in my future career. I was very fortunate to have this mentorship and guidance and would be grateful for the chance to coach current students as they navigate their careers. The expertise I have to assist current students ranges from the years of experience in the corporate world as well as the ability to coach and mentor individuals through the leadership in my current role. The most important item I can offer to students is my willingness to actively engage with them as they prepare for their future."

Graduation year: 2015

Major: Biology

Campus activities: Greek Council, Rho Nu Delta fraternity, admission office, OSL Leadership academy, PepsiCo Recreation Center intramural manager, Student Athletic Professionals Club

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• Best way to contact him: Email or Office of Alumni Relations

Jason Schultz is the director of resource development at Navy Pier in Chicago. He is responsible for overseeing the Pier's fundraising efforts to support 250 free public programs. Navy Pier works with some of the largest companies in the Chicagoland area, leading foundation partners, and philanthropically-minded individuals to bring the Pier's mission to life and create a world-class public facility.

"Augustana College gave me the tools and skills necessary to thrive in a variety of organizations. I have spent my career in the nonprofit world working for organizations dedicated to improving their communities. This sense and pride in giving back, creating a better world, and engaging others, were core components of my time at Augustana. The important lessons I learned at Augustana are a through line in my professional career. If I can help other fellow graduates or students find this shared passion and showcase the career opportunities in the nonprofit world, I can ensure the incredible work being done by contemporaries today continues across future generations."

Graduation year: 2010

Majors: Political science, Asian studies

Campus activities: International honors society, baseball, intramural sports, Vietnam term

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• Best way to contact him: Email or phone, 630-319-5059

Jennifer Dankert is a marketing communications specialist with UnityPoint Health – Trinity in the Quad Cities. In her role, she implements marketing and communication strategies to promote UnityPoint – Health and its programs and services to the general public and priority stakeholders.

"I have been in the marketing profession for 10 years and have a great deal of knowledge not only in social media marketing but public relations as well. I have worked in the non-profit and for-profit industries. Being a Quad City native I can share a great deal about the area!"

Graduation year: 2013

Major: Communication studies

Campus activities: Circle K, World Hunger Team, Lambda Pi Eta

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• Best way to contact her: Email or Linkedin

Johanna Schnitzler is a public affairs specialist working at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C.

"I think this is a great program for students to explore potential career paths that their liberal arts education can take them. Networking can often be awkward and scary but this is a good platform for students to reach out to someone that they know is willing to help out.

I noticed that there's currently a gap in Viking Connections mentors in the field of federal public service. After a few years in different government agencies I think that I can be a good resource for students who would like to know more about working for the federal government and the steps to take to get started."

Graduation year: 2014

Post-grad: International Peace and Conflict Resolution

Major(s): Sociology/social welfare

Campus activities: Women's track and field, intramural flag football, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Phi Rho sorority

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• Best way to contact her: Email or phone, 205-590-3639

Vanessa Schmitt is the director of specialized services for a three-school high school district (Proviso Township District 209) with more than 4,700 students. Her office is responsible for special education, emergent bilinguals (formerly EL), McKinney-Vento (services for homeless youth) and homebound/hospitalization.

"I am always looking to bring students looking to enter the field of education or a social service field the opportunity to learn about working in a setting that is for those who have a desire to share their talents in a setting that is made up of 10 communities in the western portion of the Chicagoland area.

"My school district is truly unique, encompassing a school that was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, another school that is in its second year of international baccalaureate programming, and a third school that is one of 10 schools statewide chosen to participate in the development of personalized competency-based education, as well as working with Bob Marzano to become a recognized Marzano Academy.

"These activities are things students may be reading about, but my connection will give them the opportunity to hear and see it first-hand!"

Augustana graduation year: 1993

Post-graduate: Special education (M.A. and Ph.D.)

Majors: Speech communication, secondary education

Campus activities: Student Government Association, ACES, WVIK, Sports Information Director's Office, Sigma Kappa Tau.

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• Best way to contact her: Email or phone, 815-258-8898

Casey Russell is a mulitstory clinic director in outpatient physical therapy at ATI Physical Therapy in Chicago.

"Augustana college gave me a great foundation to be where I am today in my career. I would love to give back to the college by providing networking and career pathways to students as they enter the workforce."

Graduation year: 2009

Post-grad: Doctor of physical therapy and healthcare administration

Major: Psychology

Campus activities: Football, rugby, Beta Omega Sigma fraternity

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• Best way to contact him: Email

Sarah Rothenberg is a Memory Care Manager at Presbyterian Homes in Evanston, Ill. She oversees day-to-day operations of long-term care for older adults with dementia and provides education and training for staff and families.

"Looking back, I wish I had the opportunity to connect with someone in my field to help mentor and guide me in the beginning of my career."

Graduation year: 2014

Post-grad: In progress at Loyola University Chicago

Majors: Pre-medicine, neuroscience

Campus activities: Sigma Alpha Iota, admissions ambassador, Augustana Hillel, Concert Band

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• Best way to contact her: Email or Office of Alumni Relations