Meet the New Leader of Alumni Engagement

Techer sat down with him on his first day to discuss his vision and plans for the future.

Welcome to Caltech! We’re excited to welcome you. What attracted you to the Institute?

Mario Peraza: Having completed my undergraduate degree in chemistry, I have always had a deep appreciation for the world-class science education Caltech provides. Throughout my nearly two decades of experience working with students and alumni, a significant portion of this time has been devoted to developing engagement strategies specifically for STEM alumni. This opportunity offers the chance to collaborate with Caltech’s accomplished alumni, who have made countless impactful contributions across disciplines. Their achievements are a testament to Caltech’s excellence, and I am eager to work closely with this community.

What is your vision for Caltech alumni relations?

MP: My vision is to build upon the outstanding work of the CAA and the Alumni Relations team, creating a world-class alumni engagement program for this world-class institute. My primary focus will be on cultivating lifelong relationships with alumni across all generations and life stages, and fostering a strong sense of community among our students and most recent graduates. Key initiatives will include developing innovative and thought-provoking science programming to pique alumni curiosity, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of our alumni, keeping them well-informed about Caltech’s latest successes and advancements, and facilitating opportunities for alumni to share their valuable expertise and insights with the Techer community. My hope is that this will nurture an engaged, vibrant, and continuously evolving alumni network.

How will you reach out to alumni from diverse backgrounds and ensure their inclusion?

MP: As a first-generation college student and Latinx alumnus, I have a personal understanding of the importance of creating programming that is inclusive of all alumni. It starts with listening to the insights and lived experiences of our diverse alumni community. By seeking their perspectives, we can develop opportunities that accurately reflect their wide range of interests and backgrounds.

What I valued tremendously in my own alumni journey, and what I hope to nurture at Caltech, is programming that highlights diverse faculty, celebrates the successes of the next generation of students, and facilitates meaningful connections among alumni. This will ensure all alumni feel seen, heard, and part of the vibrant Caltech community.

How do you envision leveraging technology to enhance alumni engagement?

MP: Caltech alumni are spread across the globe, and our goal is to ensure they feel a strong connection to their alma mater, regardless of their distance from Pasadena. Similar to many other industries that adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, academia had to find innovative ways to stay connected without traditional in-person events, lectures, and reunions.

Over the next few years, we will expand opportunities for hybrid programming that engage alumni regardless of their location. This includes leveraging the Techer Professional Network to facilitate meaningful mentorship connections between students and alumni, delivering compelling content across social media platforms, and using data to create personalized and highly relevant communications tailored to alumni interests and preferences.

By embracing technology, we can transcend geographic barriers and foster a sense of community that brings the Caltech experience directly to our global alumni network.

How do you describe your leadership style?

MP: Thoughtful and deliberative, with a strong focus on the people I work with. I deeply value taking the time to carefully listen to all key stakeholders, as this input informs the supportive and inclusive environment I strive to cultivate as a leader. This involves engaging with alumni leaders to understand their perspectives, seeking insights from campus partners and stakeholders, analyzing alumni interest survey data, and incorporating the interests, professional experience, and motivations of our talented alumni engagement staff.

My philosophy is that alumni engagement must be grounded in tradition while remaining agile and flexible enough to evolve and innovate in order to meet the needs of our diverse alumni community. A core principle guiding my approach is actively seeking input from alumni spanning various backgrounds, career stages, and geographic locations. This broad range of perspectives ensures that my leadership provides value that is supportive, inclusive, and responsive to all members of the alumni community.

Striking the right balance between honoring Caltech’s storied history and traditions, while also embracing change and new initiatives that resonate with alumni, will be paramount. Through inclusive listening and data-informed decision-making, I aim to cultivate an environment that celebrates the rich diversity of our global alumni base.

What would you like to convey to Techers to inspire them to help evolve Caltech alumni relations?

MP: As alumni, you are among Caltech’s most enduring and impactful legacies. You take the vision, knowledge, and values instilled by this institute out into the world, amplifying its impact through your incredible personal and professional accomplishments across communities worldwide.

Caltech has a commitment to staying connected with all of you. We celebrate your successes wholeheartedly and strive to keep you informed about the groundbreaking research and innovations continually emerging from campus.

However, to truly evolve and enhance our alumni engagement efforts, we need your input and participation. Share your interests, attend events when possible, read our communications, and respond to surveys—your perspectives are invaluable. We want to understand what you need and desire from your alma mater in order to provide meaningful value at every stage of your journey.

You inspire us to create alumni programming and opportunities that enrich your connection to Caltech. Together, we can shape an alumni relations program that equals the caliber of this institute.