Here in Bear Country, we love a good alumni career success story. Lyndsey Crum, 鈥�05, is one such Bear whose decade of service as the University of Northern 黑料社区鈥檚 Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Community Relations has left an indelible mark on our community. Her story is a shining example that exemplifies the mantra: 鈥淥nce a Bear, Always a Bear.鈥�

Lyndsey鈥檚 journey at UNC began as a first-generation college student from Hawai鈥檌 pursuing a degree in Political Science. Her early passion for community engagement and leadership laid the foundation for a career dedicated to fostering strong connections between alumni and the university. When she returned to her alma mater 10 years ago, she brought a vision that would transform the Alumni Relations program into a national leader.

Under Lyndsey鈥檚 guidance, UNC鈥檚 alumni network flourished. She built a diverse and dynamic community of alumni donors, employers and advocates, ensuring that Bears remained actively engaged and invested in student success long after they left campus. Her strategic use of a metrics-based model resulted in consistent year-over-year growth in alumni engagement, positioning UNC as a trailblazer in alumni relations.

Lyndsey鈥檚 impact extended far beyond engagement. By aligning alumni relations with the university鈥檚 broader, strategic goals, she ensured the work of her team supported student success, philanthropy and university advocacy. Her leadership fostered a culture of engagement that connected Bears across generations and industries.

In 2022, Lyndsey was recognized as a Fulbright Scholar, a high honor that took her to Berlin, Germany. As one of only 15 U.S. higher education administrators selected, Lyndsey deepened her appreciation for global education and international alumni engagement.

Lyndsey鈥檚 decade of service to UNC is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the university and its community. Her legacy is one of connection, leadership and a deep love for her alma mater. Through her work, Lyndsey contributed to the success stories of countless alumni, who continue to make their mark across the globe in fields ranging from business and education to health care and the arts. Programs like Bear to Bear, in which alumni, faculty and staff volunteers reach out and personally welcome thousands of admitted students and Success Looks Like Me, an opportunity for alumni and professionals to advise students in the same career, are just a few examples of the initiatives she championed that continue to empower UNC alumni to achieve great things.

In August 2024, Lyndsey departed UNC and began her new position as the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations at Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit, Michigan. In this new role, Lyndsey will lead alumni and career partnerships for the WSU alumni community, continuing to strengthen the Bear Network through her own professional accomplishments.

As we celebrate Lyndsey鈥檚 achievements, we are reminded that 鈥淥nce a Bear, Always a Bear鈥� is more than a motto鈥嗏�斺�唅t鈥檚 a way of life that Lyndsey exemplifies in every way. Her dedication to UNC has strengthened our alumni community, ensuring that future generations of Bears will continue to go big and make a difference in the world.