Brianne Miers ’99
Since 2010 Brianne Miers ’99 has been a familiar face within the Syracuse University Alumni Club of Boston. Serving as club president for the past three years, she was committed to offering a wider variety of events—including volunteer, networking, and cultural gatherings—to engage alumni of all ages and their families. Miers’ term ended in July, but she remains actively involved with the club and loves interacting with her fellow alumni.
Why did you choose to attend Syracuse as an undergrad?
I wanted to study broadcast journalism and was attracted to the Newhouse School because of its reputation as being one of the best communications schools in the country—the best, in my opinion! Additionally, my cousin was a freshman in the music industry program when I was a high school senior, and Syracuse became my top choice after visiting her for a weekend and experiencing college life for the first time.
Tell us about some of your more memorable SU experiences. What has proven to be the most meaningful to you?
I’m incredibly lucky to have used the knowledge, skills, and connections gained through my Newhouse education every day since graduation. I don’t understand the people who say your college major doesn’t matter, because it undoubtedly set me on the path to a rewarding and successful career.
I’m also very thankful for my group of friends—including my randomly assigned freshman roommate and three other sets of roommates from our dorm room floor (Flint 2C). We’ve remained close through marriages, kids, moves, and crazy schedules, and we manage to all see each other a few times a year.
Do you have a favorite SU memory?
There are too many memorable experiences to share, but I’ll never forget rushing “M Street” with thousands of other students after Syracuse went to the Final Four my freshman year and staying up all night celebrating.
How did you end up in Boston and become involved with the alumni club?
I moved to Boulder, Colorado, after graduation and later relocated to Washington, DC, for graduate school. I sporadically volunteered with those cities’ alumni clubs and attended events like the New Student Send Offs. In 2008 I moved to Boston but didn’t seek out the club for two years. When I did, however, I got involved with the board right away. After two years of mostly focusing on community service activities, I took over as president.
What are you most proud of looking back at your tenure as club president?
Most of my first year was spent working very hard to formalize club operations, expand programming, and strengthen relationships with local alumni leaders and the University. Today, the Boston club is considered a model for other clubs in the country, and I’m very proud of that.
It was bittersweet to hand over leadership recently, but the new co-presidents—Samantha Lordi ’07 and Natasha Olejar ’14—and the rest of the board members are very committed, and I’m sure they’ll make the club even better.
Now that your term has concluded, how do you plan to stay involved with Syracuse?
It still feels weird not to be planning activities, attending meetings, and coordinating volunteers, but I’ll continue to serve as a resource to the current club and SU staff, as well as network with students and alumni. In September I served as a moderator for the Success in the City panel discussion on entrepreneurship, and I hope to help plan other networking events in the future.
Tell us about the work you’re doing now.
Two years ago I decided to strike out on my own and start my communications consulting business, Kind Communications, working primarily with nonprofits and start-ups. I also recently started a travel blog called A Traveling Life to share my travels, and give advice and encouragement to other professionals wanting to see the world while maintaining their careers.