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Not content to reach out to alums in the greater Sacramento Area—or the United States for that matter—the alumni arm of Sac State now extends as far as China.

In November, President Alexander Gonzalez, along with Alumni Association Executive Director Gary Davis (“99 Business Administration), officially kicked off Sac State’s first overseas alumni chapter. In Hong Kong.

“Sac State is a destination for college students around the world who want to study in the United States,” says Davis. “Having an alumni chapter in place not only provides a pipeline for more international students, but allows them to remain connected when they graduate and move back home.”

The group has existed in an informal capacity for several years through the efforts of Sac State alum and Hong Kong businesswoman Winnie Leung (‘66, Business Administration).

Ethnic Studies professor Greg Mark says that Hong Kong chapter makes sense because potential Sac State students have a high rate of English fluency but are faced with a lack of local higher education institutions. “Through this Hong Kong Alumni Chapter, we have the opportunity to recruit some of these high quality students to come here,” says Mark, who attended the group’s installation event.

Hong Kong, is especially pivotal for international recruitment, Mark says, because the city has long been a key port into Asia.

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to be pioneers in sustaining a quality education in terms of creating chapters all over the world,” Mark says. “These chapters can contribute to the making of a stronger university through infrastructure, recruiting and mentoring.”

At the November event, the group boasted 15 initial members and chapter leaders are recruiting more. “It has been fun to see all the alums again,” says chapter co-chair Vivian Kao (’94, Marketing). “It is a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and share our past experiences at the University.”

Alumni involved in the chapter come from a variety of majors and professions, including co-chair Allen Lau (’92, Marketing), who is executive vice president for watch manufacturer MIRA Watch International Limited. Other members include Hong Kong accountants, bankers, government workers, managers and business owners.

Kao hopes the chapter provides a network for graduates coming back to or moving to China, helping them to fit into the community and make career choices.

“We look forward to planning future events with the members,” Kao says. “And to further strengthening the chapter’s relationship with the Alumni Association.”

Davis and his staff are now investigating other pockets of alumni abroad in an effort to identify more potential overseas alumni chapters. “We will certainly be looking to start up another international chapter soon,” Davis says.

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