Alumni Board Q&A:
Josh Kornberg

Meet Josh Kornberg, a 2012 graduate of Indiana University Southeast with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

Kornberg currently serves as the vice president of the IU Southeast Alumni Board. Get to know him and how he continues to actively serve the university:

Why did you choose to complete your degree at Indiana University Southeast?

I chose IU Southeast because I was able to get an IU degree while being close to home. I did not expect to have such a robust college experience at IU Southeast, but I am glad I did.

Who were the faculty and staff that influenced or inspired you during your time at IU Southeast?

There was one faculty member who truly changed the trajectory of my career. Dr. Jamie Kauffman taught me how to question and think critically, and he even was able to highlight a career path that I am now pursuing.

How have you built your career since graduation?

Because of my community involvement and extracurricular engagement, I was able to begin a rewarding career in nonprofit advancement. I am currently the assistant director of Advancement at Ivy Tech and enjoy the fact that I am helping students achieve their dream of higher education.

Think back to a time on campus. What was your favorite IU Southeast moment?

My favorite IU Southeast moment must be when I was when I spoke at the induction ceremony for the freshmen class. I will never forget that moment as I was able to usher in several hundred new Grenadiers into the IU Southeast family.

What advice would you give to current or graduating students who want to pursue a career in higher education?

I received some great advice from a good friend and mentor who told me: “Before you jump into higher education, don’t work in higher education.” At the time, I didn’t understand the rationale. Now that I have experienced a few other nonprofit fields, I have a deeper appreciation for the work that I am able to do now.

You were very involved as a student. How did your experiences help advance your professional and personal life?

I was fortunate to have such a broad scope of experiences as a student: president of the Student Government Association, Resident Advisor, an officer of Tau Kappa Epsilon, president of the Student Alumni Association and countless other opportunities.

I honestly believe that it is because of the many connections I established as a student that has solidified my career in advancement. Additionally, many of the friends who I made in the organizations with which I was involved are still close friends of mine, today — all attributed to IU Southeast.

What is the IU Southeast Alumni Association?

The IU Southeast Alumni Association is a group of individuals in our community who are committed to the growth and success of IU Southeast and its students.

What does the IU Southeast Alumni Board do?

The alumni board has a keen focus on providing engaging opportunities for alumni and community members to connect with the campus.  Additionally, the board is committed to serving as a resource to student success by offering mentoring opportunities and student scholarships.

Why did you choose to volunteer on the IUSAA Board?

I choose to volunteer on the IU Southeast Alumni Board because IU Southeast changed my life. I hate to sound cliché, but the university allowed me to experience life in a way that I would have never been afforded. Therefore, I see it as my role to be able to ensure the life-changing work of IU Southeast continues into the future. My work on the board gives me assurance that my IU experience will continue with Hoosiers for many years to come.

How can someone become involved with the IUSAA?

If someone wants to get involved, I would recommend that they start by working on a committee of the board. We plan many events, raise dollars for scholarships, and try to engage alumni from every walk of life. This is a team effort and the more hands we have on board, the more successful we will be.

Alumni Legacy Society: Passing down a love for IUS