Illustration of diverse hands holding up letters spelling "Volunteer," with text above reading "Opportunities connect new, reconnect existing Bulldogs.

Volunteers fill a number of roles in helping Mississippi State University thrive and grow. Working through chapters of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association, alumni volunteers serve every county of the state and in 21 states beyond the Mississippi line.

Working in teams or as individuals, Bulldog alumni plan and host MSU events, serve as MSU representatives, work as reunion contacts, operate chapters and clubs, work with the Alumni Recruitment Network, and serve on an alumni advisory council or on the national board of directors.

“We have volunteers who began volunteering 26 years ago,” said Michael Richardson, MSU Alumni Association assistant director for regional and volunteer engagement. “In some cases, they took time off of volunteering when their lives got too busy, then took it up again when time allowed. It’s a chance to interact with fellow alumni and work for the love of giving back to the university that gave us so much.”

Two women stand beside an open SUV trunk filled with bags, blankets, and other items, with two additional bags placed on the ground behind the vehicle.
Two women stand beside a cart filled with snacks and school spirit items, including banners, pom-poms, and branded merchandise, against a plain wall.
Two people posing and smiling at an outdoor event with food tables, wearing casual clothes and holding drinks; others are mingling in the background under tents.
A group of seven women stand indoors holding jars of peanut butter, next to a donation bin labeled “Peanut Butter Drive: Spread the love,” with more jars visible in the bin.
Two women stand beside a large red donation box labeled "Alcorn County MSU Alumni Dawgs for Paws" inside a pet supply store. Pet products are displayed on shelves behind them.
Two people stand indoors next to a Salvation Army donation stand. They are wearing maroon Mississippi State attire and holding a bell. A sign promoting Mississippi State University is visible.
A group of eight people wearing matching green shirts and holding trash bags stand outside on a sunny day for a community cleanup event.
A group of people and several dogs pose in front of a building labeled "PALS Rescue" with bags of pet supplies stacked on the ground.

Janet Downey, who is the association’s coordinator of volunteer engagement, said that’s the beauty of serving as an alumni volunteer: flexibility to help as much, as little and in whatever way fits your life.

“We have opportunities to fit every shape and style of time and talent,” Downey said. “There are different areas in which to serve and different ways and types of opportunity to serve in each.”

Richardson said that if a Bulldog wants to serve, the MSU Alumni Association is there to help find the right job for that person’s strengths.

“Not everyone can be an alumni chapter president, and not everyone would want to,” Richardson said. “We oversee nearly 100 chapters in the nation, and there are lots of volunteer opportunities available in each one of them.

“If you’re in an area with an alumni group, we can connect you to your local chapter so you can explore all the local opportunities,” Richardson continued. “If you’re in an area without an alumni group, we can connect you to fellow alumni and prospective students in many other ways.”

Visit alumni.msstate.edu to learn more or to contact the MSU Alumni Association.


By Kevin Tate, Photos Submitted