After serving on Newman University’s National Alumni Board of Directors since 2016, Cindy Miles was recently named president of the board.
Miles works in Wichita as the CEO of the Kansas Nonprofit Chamber. She received her Master of Business Administration from Newman in 2009, then served as vice president of the National Alumni Board of Directors from 2016 to 2020.
Dana Beitey, director of alumni relations, says that Miles served as an excellent vice president the past few years and will without a doubt transition well into her new role as president.
“Cindy knows the ins and outs of running a board because she has served on many in the past,” Beitey says. “Her experience in the nonprofit world is also a huge plus, so I think she’s going to be a great asset as president of the national alumni board.”
Goals for the future
Miles says she has a number of goals for her new two-year term as president of the board.
First and foremost, she plans to gather input from fellow board members on what they hope to accomplish in the next few years. Miles also wants to continue creating relationships with Newman alumni, especially by reconnecting with those whom the university hasn’t heard from since their graduation. Miles notes that this is almost always a challenge.
Although Miles attended Wichita State University for her undergraduate education, she has a high affinity for Newman.
“I think [the opportunity to serve as president] is exciting,” she says. “As Marcelo Casenove, the previous board president, said, despite the fact that I have different alma maters, Newman is the one I’m closest to.”
“I’ve been able to stay engaged with Newman, and I have a real passion for education and making sure that people have educational opportunities, so I’m excited to serve in the role,” Miles added.
Patrick “Pat” Edwards will serve alongside Miles as vice president of the alumni board. Edwards graduated from Newman in 2007 with degrees in secondary education and history and works as an attorney and partner at Stinson LLP.
Edwards says he enjoys staying connected and re-connecting with Newman alumni through his participation on the board.
“Cindy is the best networker I’ve ever met,” Edwards said. “I’m excited about the new people I’ll meet, both at Newman and in Wichita in general, by working with her.”
Serving as a resource
In addition to her tenure on the National Alumni Board of Directors, Miles has also served on Newman’s Career Services Advisory Board. Newman faculty members have also invited Miles to speak to their students about the nonprofit world, how to network and where to find jobs.
Any time a representative from Newman has reached out to Miles, she’s been more than happy to help the university.
“The values of Newman very much align with the work that I do out in the community,” Miles says. “I am helping nonprofits every day with being successful and connecting with volunteers. Newman reflects those values for me.”
And that’s why she feels called to help the alma mater that she loves so dearly however she can.
“I’m excited to serve and see how I can make an impact,” Miles says.
Beitey says it’s clear that Miles cares about the Newman community as a whole. She has no doubt that Miles will put 100% of her efforts into her new position as president.
“(Miles) holds Newman close to her heart, and that means that she is going to give nothing but her best for the board,” Beitey added.
