One Degree Stronger: Advancing a Culture of Alumni Giving at SUSS
Date: 1 Feb 2026
News Type:Event Highlights
School/Department: Advancement Office
In 2025, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) took an important step to strengthen alumni engagement by establishing the Alumni Advancement Committee (AAC). The AAC worked closely with the University to drive the One Degree Stronger Campaign, rallying alumni participation through advocacy, outreach, and community-led initiatives.
At the heart of the campaign in 2025 was the Pay It Forward Award Fund, an initiative designed then to provide financial assistance to SUSS students. This fund reinforced SUSS’ mission to enable students to participate in life-shaping activities beyond the classroom, ensuring that students do not miss out on holistic development and experiential learning opportunities that are often out of reach due to financial constraints.
“As alumni, many of us know what it took to get through our SUSS journey - balancing work, family, and study, often with little room for error. The Pay It Forward Award Fund was about recognising that reality and choosing to support students who may need a little extra help to fully participate in university life. It’s a way for alumni to pay forward what we’ve gained, so today’s learners have the same opportunity to grow, thrive, and complete their journey with confidence.”- Fayeruz, Alumni Advancement Committee Chairperson.
About the One Degree Stronger Campaign
For SUSS students, education is often pursued alongside professional, family, and personal responsibilities. Graduates understand first-hand the resilience and determination required to complete this journey.
The One Degree Stronger Campaign celebrates the grit and determination of the SUSS community. Recognising the unique challenges students face, the campaign encourages alumni to support their juniors who may need additional assistance beyond tuition by donating to the Student Care Fund.
Through alumni giving, SUSS continues the virtuous cycle of support and enables learners of today to become the supporters and advocates of tomorrow.
Alumni Engagement Through Community-Led Initiatives
During the year, the AAC supported a series of alumni-led engagements designed to foster connection, learning, and shared purpose, while advancing the objectives of alumni giving.
Pickleball Charity Clinic
The Pickleball Charity Clinic marked one of the first community initiatives under the campaign. Supported by faculty leadership from the School of Social Work and Social Development and volunteer coaches, the event brought 34 alumni together through a shared experience while advancing student support efforts.
“Seeing alumni from different backgrounds come together for the Pickleball Charity Clinic reminded me of the strong sense of community we share. It was a meaningful way to reconnect, give back, and support students through a shared experience.”
- Tan Zong Shao, Alumni Advancement Committee Member
LinkedIn Leadership Workshop
As part of the campaign, the AAC committee member and SUSS alumna, Natasha Salleh (Class of 2013), volunteered her expertise to conduct a LinkedIn Leadership Workshop for alumni.
The session focused on building authentic professional presence and thought leadership through organic social media marketing, with emphasis on purposeful engagement and giving back. Participants gained practical insights into leveraging professional platforms responsibly and reflected on how personal influence can contribute to broader social good.
"The workshop is timely as it is relevant to be used for my company (Sequoia Group Pte Ltd). The workshop was concise, relevant, and brief. The workshop is also personally relevant to me as there's always room for growth. I rate my LinkedIn presence as 3/10, and I plan to improve it through the knowledge I've learnt through this Workshop."
- Tan Shang How, SUSS Alumni, Class of 2022
"I've previously attended LinkedIn Workshops from different speakers, and I realised that they all have different experiences to share, which explains the new things I have learnt. I believe that success leaves clues, and I can either follow the footsteps to the route of success by learning or differentiating and customizing my content to my passions to be a unique thought leader. Now, I have an interest in growing my network and following."
- George Tan Yan Zuo, SUSS Alumni, Class of 2022
"I believe that if people can share good ideas with society, then they should not keep them to themselves. LinkedIn can help people to make a livelihood for themselves, to help others, or for businesses to grow. Through this Workshop, I hope people are able to practice networking productively, through personal and authentic engagement. It is important to be comfortable with talking about yourself, instead of in a business setting.
- Natasha Salleh, Workshop Presenter and Alumni Advancement Committee Member.
Alumni Advocacy at School Events
AAC members also represented alumni giving at key university touchpoints, including Convocation and Homecoming events. Through these engagements, alumni volunteers connected with graduating cohorts and fellow peers, sharing the purpose of alumni giving and reinforcing the idea of lifelong connection with SUSS beyond graduation.
“We are one large family, standing together and supporting one another in whatever ways we can, within our means, through financial resources, strengths, and care.”
- Mike Lim, Alumni Advancement Committee Member
Strengthening the SUSS Community, Together
In its first year, the Alumni Advancement Committee demonstrated what can be achieved together. Whether through advocacy, volunteering, or financial contributions, each participation strengthens the SUSS ecosystem and supports learners as they navigate their own educational journeys.
As SUSS continues to grow its alumni engagement efforts, initiatives such as One Degree Stronger serve as an essential foundation—anchored in shared experience, responsibility, and the belief in paying it forward.
Alumni who wish to support future generations of SUSS students are invited to contribute to the One Degree Stronger Campaign.
Give to the One Degree Stronger Campaign or learn more about giving at SUSS at https://www.suss.edu.sg/about/engagement-collaboration/giving.