{"id":111239,"date":"2026-10-06T11:35:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T15:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/?p=111239"},"modified":"2026-10-06T14:47:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T18:47:51","slug":"umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/","title":{"rendered":"UMW\u2019s Regional Alumni Networks Create Connections Across the Country"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><section class=\"wp-block-umw-hero alignfull umw-custom-block umw-hero umw-hero--dark-text umw-hero--media-float-right umw-hero--white umw-hero--with-no-media umw-hero--with-no-content\"><div class=\"umw-hero__inner\"><div class=\"umw-hero__media\"><\/div><div class=\"umw-hero__title\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"umw-hero__title__wrapper\"><h1 class=\"umw-hero__title__header\">News<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><h2 class=\"alignwide wp-block-post-title\">UMW&rsquo;s Regional Alumni Networks Create Connections Across the Country<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-group umw-news-author-credit is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-10-06T11:35:58-04:00\">October 6, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">by<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\">Jill Laiacona<\/div><\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jessica Mitchell Essalih &rsquo;05 jumped at the chance to lead the University of Mary Washington&rsquo;s Texas Regional Alumni Network when she relocated from New York City to Austin.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&ldquo;It&rsquo;s remarkable, even for a few hours, to be surrounded by people who value UMW&rsquo;s Honor Code, a liberal arts education and a Carl&rsquo;s milkshake,&rdquo; said Essalih, who met and married fellow alum Tony Essalih &rsquo;99, who was living in Houston. The couple have hosted events to help alumni across the Lone Star State stay connected to their alma mater and each other. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s never a lull in the conversation when you bring up Mary Washington,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s such a special place.&rdquo;<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She&rsquo;s one of many alumni volunteers who manage Mary Washington&rsquo;s nearly <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.umw.edu\/connect\/regional-networks\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/alumni.umw.edu\/connect\/regional-networks\/\"><strong>two dozen networks<\/strong><\/a> nationwide. Network leaders help UMW&rsquo;s Office of Alumni Engagement plan baseball games and brunches, painting parties and picnics, and happy hours and hikes in their home cities &ndash; as well as university updates with President Troy Paino and wife Kelly &ndash; gathering groups of graduates who once called Mary Washington home.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This fall features a Boston\/New England Network gathering Oct. 8 at Trillium Brewing in Canton, Massachusetts. The Richmond (Virginia) Network will host a happy hour and service project for an animal shelter Oct. 8 at Triple Crossing&rsquo;s Fulton brewery. The Washington, D.C.\/Northern Virginia Network will host an event at Continues Arcade in Alexandria Oct. 15. President Paino will also visit locations throughout Virginia in the winter and spring. View the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.umw.edu\/attend\/full-alumni-event-calendar\/\"><strong>UMW Alumni event calendar<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;to learn about upcoming dates.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&ldquo;These events are opportunities to meet people with a shared foundation, expand personal and professional connections in a new city and make an unfamiliar place feel more welcoming,&rdquo; said Lori Foster Turley &rsquo;81, an Alumni Association Board of Directors member and Regional Alumni Networks vice president. &ldquo;Most importantly, they help alumni continue building community long after graduation, keeping Mary Washington close no matter where life takes them.&rdquo;<\/p><section class=\"image-gallery layout__block\">\n\t<div class=\"image-gallery__inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__main\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__main__track\" js-slideshow-track=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__slide\" js-slide=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-main\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1131\" height=\"772\" data-attachment-id=\"111240\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/houston-event\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Houston-event.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"2016,1512\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Jessica Mitchell Essalih &amp;#8217;05 and husband Tony Essalih &amp;#8217;99 (center) hosting a Texas Network event for their fellow Mary Washington alumni in Houston. Jessica is among the dozens of alumni who serve as Regional Alumni Network leaders. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Houston-event-1024x768.jpeg\" data-id=\"111240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Houston-event-1131x772.jpeg\" alt=\"A group of six people standing and smiling in a kitchen with a chandelier behind them.\" class=\"wp-image-111240\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__slide\" js-slide=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-main\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1131\" height=\"772\" data-attachment-id=\"111241\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/media\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Media.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1663,1247\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Members of the Richmond Network, including network leaders Amy Leap &amp;#8217;12 (middle row, second from left) and Marshall Vogt &amp;#8217;07 (back row, fourth from left) during a food drive and happy hour at Gramaphone Winery in  Richmond. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Media-1024x768.jpeg\" data-id=\"111241\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Media-1131x772.jpeg\" alt=\"A large group of people standing against a brick wall in a winery. Paintings are on the wall, lights are overhead, and two tables flank the group.\" class=\"wp-image-111241\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__slide\" js-slide=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-main\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1131\" height=\"772\" data-attachment-id=\"111242\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/img_1232\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/IMG_1232-scaled.png\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A group of alumni and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Crawley attend a Mary Wash Day and Fredericksburg Network happy hour and trivia in the Hurley Convergence Center in 2025. Their team was No. 1 in trivia.  Photo courtesy of Cadi Trevi&ntilde;o Pinto &rsquo;22.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/IMG_1232-1024x768.png\" data-id=\"111242\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/IMG_1232-1131x772.png\" alt=\"A group of six people standing under a blue and gray balloon arch.\" class=\"wp-image-111242\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__slide\" js-slide=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-main\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1131\" height=\"772\" data-attachment-id=\"111243\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1440,1440\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Alumni show off their snowmen paintings at Muse Paintbar in 2022 as part of the Washington, D.C.\/Northern Virginia Network. Photo courtesy of Angela Zosel McCormick &amp;#8217;00. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n-1024x1024.jpg\" data-id=\"111243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n-1131x772.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people holding paintings of snowmen in a paint bar.\" class=\"wp-image-111243\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__slide\" js-slide=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-main\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1131\" height=\"772\" data-attachment-id=\"111247\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-mary-washington-alumni-gathered-with-president-troy-paino-and-wife-kelly-and-umw-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-redbird-in-downtown-los-angeles\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-Mary-Washington-alumni-gathered-with-President-Troy-Paino-and-wife-Kelly-and-UMW-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-Redbird-in-downtown-Los-Angeles.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2000,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Mary Washington alumni gathered with President Troy Paino and wife Kelly (center), along with Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte (third from left, back row) and Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Mark Thaden &amp;#8217;02 (far right) at Redbird in downtown Los Angeles for a Southern California Network event. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-Mary-Washington-alumni-gathered-with-President-Troy-Paino-and-wife-Kelly-and-UMW-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-Redbird-in-downtown-Los-Angeles-1024x768.jpg\" data-id=\"111247\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-Mary-Washington-alumni-gathered-with-President-Troy-Paino-and-wife-Kelly-and-UMW-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-Redbird-in-downtown-Los-Angeles-1131x772.jpg\" alt=\"A group of 11 smiling people on a deck, with several holding wine glasses.\" class=\"wp-image-111247\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__slide\" js-slide=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-main\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"772\" data-attachment-id=\"111248\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/unknown-7-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Unknown-7.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"800,800\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Richmond Network co-leader Amy Leap &amp;#8217;12 (gray shirt) and other alumni attend a Richmond Kickers soccer game in 2023. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Unknown-7.jpeg\" data-id=\"111248\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Unknown-7-800x772.jpeg\" alt=\"A group of four people and a kangaroo mascot.\" class=\"wp-image-111248\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__nav image-gallery__nav--previous\" aria-label=\"Previous\" js-prev>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path d=\"M18.5 12H6M6 12L12 6M6 12L12 18\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\r\n<\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__nav image-gallery__nav--next\" aria-label=\"Next\" js-next>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path d=\"M6 12H18.5M18.5 12L12.5 6M18.5 12L12.5 18\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\r\n<\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnails\" js-thumbnails-container=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnails__track\" js-thumbnail-track>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail\" aria-label=\"Slide 0 thumbnail\" js-thumbnail>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-thumb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"116\" data-attachment-id=\"111240\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/houston-event\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Houston-event.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"2016,1512\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Jessica Mitchell Essalih &amp;#8217;05 and husband Tony Essalih &amp;#8217;99 (center) hosting a Texas Network event for their fellow Mary Washington alumni in Houston. Jessica is among the dozens of alumni who serve as Regional Alumni Network leaders. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Houston-event-1024x768.jpeg\" data-id=\"111240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Houston-event-224x116.jpeg\" alt=\"A group of six people standing and smiling in a kitchen with a chandelier behind them.\" class=\"wp-image-111240\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail\" aria-label=\"Slide 1 thumbnail\" js-thumbnail>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-thumb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"116\" data-attachment-id=\"111241\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/media\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Media.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1663,1247\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Members of the Richmond Network, including network leaders Amy Leap &amp;#8217;12 (middle row, second from left) and Marshall Vogt &amp;#8217;07 (back row, fourth from left) during a food drive and happy hour at Gramaphone Winery in  Richmond. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Media-1024x768.jpeg\" data-id=\"111241\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Media-224x116.jpeg\" alt=\"A large group of people standing against a brick wall in a winery. Paintings are on the wall, lights are overhead, and two tables flank the group.\" class=\"wp-image-111241\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail\" aria-label=\"Slide 2 thumbnail\" js-thumbnail>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-thumb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"116\" data-attachment-id=\"111242\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/img_1232\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/IMG_1232-scaled.png\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A group of alumni and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Crawley attend a Mary Wash Day and Fredericksburg Network happy hour and trivia in the Hurley Convergence Center in 2025. Their team was No. 1 in trivia.  Photo courtesy of Cadi Trevi&ntilde;o Pinto &rsquo;22.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/IMG_1232-1024x768.png\" data-id=\"111242\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/IMG_1232-224x116.png\" alt=\"A group of six people standing under a blue and gray balloon arch.\" class=\"wp-image-111242\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail\" aria-label=\"Slide 3 thumbnail\" js-thumbnail>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-thumb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"116\" data-attachment-id=\"111243\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1440,1440\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Alumni show off their snowmen paintings at Muse Paintbar in 2022 as part of the Washington, D.C.\/Northern Virginia Network. Photo courtesy of Angela Zosel McCormick &amp;#8217;00. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n-1024x1024.jpg\" data-id=\"111243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/514759068_10172291211830434_7495671845255222718_n-224x116.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people holding paintings of snowmen in a paint bar.\" class=\"wp-image-111243\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail\" aria-label=\"Slide 4 thumbnail\" js-thumbnail>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-thumb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"116\" data-attachment-id=\"111247\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-mary-washington-alumni-gathered-with-president-troy-paino-and-wife-kelly-and-umw-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-redbird-in-downtown-los-angeles\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-Mary-Washington-alumni-gathered-with-President-Troy-Paino-and-wife-Kelly-and-UMW-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-Redbird-in-downtown-Los-Angeles.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2000,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"0\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Mary Washington alumni gathered with President Troy Paino and wife Kelly (center), along with Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte (third from left, back row) and Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Mark Thaden &amp;#8217;02 (far right) at Redbird in downtown Los Angeles for a Southern California Network event. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-Mary-Washington-alumni-gathered-with-President-Troy-Paino-and-wife-Kelly-and-UMW-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-Redbird-in-downtown-Los-Angeles-1024x768.jpg\" data-id=\"111247\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Id-put-this-one-with-1990s-or-2000s-Mary-Washington-alumni-gathered-with-President-Troy-Paino-and-wife-Kelly-and-UMW-advancement-and-alumni-engagement-staff-at-Redbird-in-downtown-Los-Angeles-224x116.jpg\" alt=\"A group of 11 smiling people on a deck, with several holding wine glasses.\" class=\"wp-image-111247\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail\" aria-label=\"Slide 5 thumbnail\" js-thumbnail>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__slideshow__thumbnail__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-umw-gallery-thumb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"116\" data-attachment-id=\"111248\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/unknown-7-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Unknown-7.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"800,800\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"0\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"0\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"0\",\"iso\":\"0\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"alt\":\"\"}' data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Richmond Network co-leader Amy Leap &amp;#8217;12 (gray shirt) and other alumni attend a Richmond Kickers soccer game in 2023. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Unknown-7.jpeg\" data-id=\"111248\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Unknown-7-224x116.jpeg\" alt=\"A group of four people and a kangaroo mascot.\" class=\"wp-image-111248\"><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__pager\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__pager__section\" js-page><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__pager__section\" js-page><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__pager__section\" js-page><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__pager__section\" js-page><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__pager__section\" js-page><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__pager__section\" js-page><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__description-container\" js-description-container>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__description\" js-description>\n                                                                        <div class=\"image-gallery__description__summary\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jessica Mitchell Essalih &rsquo;05 and husband Tony Essalih &rsquo;99 (center) hosting a Texas Network event for their fellow Mary Washington alumni in Houston. Jessica is among the dozens of alumni who serve as Regional Alumni Network leaders. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n                        \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__description\" js-description>\n                                                                        <div class=\"image-gallery__description__summary\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Members of the Richmond Network, including network leaders Amy Leap &rsquo;12 (middle row, second from left) and Marshall Vogt &rsquo;07 (back row, fourth from left) during a food drive and happy hour at Gramaphone Winery in  Richmond. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n                        \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__description\" js-description>\n                                                                        <div class=\"image-gallery__description__summary\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A group of alumni and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Crawley attend a Mary Wash Day and Fredericksburg Network happy hour and trivia in the Hurley Convergence Center in 2025. Their team was No. 1 in trivia.  Photo courtesy of Cadi Trevi&ntilde;o Pinto &rsquo;22.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n                        \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__description\" js-description>\n                                                                        <div class=\"image-gallery__description__summary\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alumni, including Director of Alumni and Advancement Communications Angela Zosel McCormick &rsquo;00 (far right) show off their snowmen paintings at Muse Paintbar in 2022 as part of the Washington, D.C.\/Northern Virginia Network. Photo courtesy of Angela Zosel McCormick. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n                        \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__description\" js-description>\n                                                                        <div class=\"image-gallery__description__summary\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mary Washington alumni gathered with President Troy Paino and wife Kelly (center), along with Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte (third from left, back row) and Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Mark Thaden &rsquo;02 (far right) at Redbird in downtown Los Angeles for a Southern California Network event. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n                        \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-gallery__description\" js-description>\n                                                                        <div class=\"image-gallery__description__summary\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richmond Network co-leader Amy Leap &rsquo;12 (gray shirt) and other alumni attend a Richmond Kickers soccer game in 2023. Photo courtesy of Phillip Duggins. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n                        \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&rsquo;s why Alanna Shapiro &rsquo;18 helped get the Philadelphia Network up and running &ndash; or hiking. Last fall, she helped arrange a family picnic, playtime and hike at a park in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, when the leaves were at their peak colors.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&ldquo;I had just moved to Philly, so getting involved as a network leader has helped me meet more people,&rdquo; said Shapiro, who hopes to plan future events around the city&rsquo;s spirited sports teams.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marshall Vogt &rsquo;07, who grew up in Richmond, signed up to be a network leader when he returned home after college. He has helped plan a tacky holiday lights tour, book readings by local alumni authors like Kristen Green &rsquo;95 and the ever-popular Richmond Squirrels Minor League Baseball game each summer.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leaders brainstorm ideas before bringing them to UMW Director of Alumni Programs Phillip Duggins, who helps each network secure a venue, plan a budget and timeline, and communicate details to area alumni via email and social media. Registration is required for events, which are typically free or involve a minimal cost but often include food and beverages.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&ldquo;I know people who&rsquo;ve gotten job offers, including me, after making a connection at a network event,&rdquo; said Amy Leap &rsquo;12, another Richmond leader, who was recruited to join after her stint on UMW&rsquo;s Young Alumni Council ended.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She has enjoyed planning service projects like holiday card writing and food drives, but her favorite was a celebration of late civil rights leader James L. Farmer Jr., featuring UMW Associate Provost of Community Relations and Compliance Shavonne Shorter as a guest.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many alumni shared their personal stories about having Farmer as a history professor at Mary Washington, Leap said, while Shorter told them about current James Farmer Multicultural Center events and initiatives.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tara Corrigall &rsquo;82 became active in the Tidewater\/Virginia Beach Network, which she now co-leads, after serving on UMW&rsquo;s Board of Visitors and as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. She has helped plan a meetup at a dog-friendly brewery, visits to local art museums and an annual luncheon and tour for Virginia&rsquo;s Historic Garden Week.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&ldquo;I relish any chance I have to stay engaged and informed on what&rsquo;s happening at Mary Washington,&rdquo; Corrigall said. &ldquo;I loved planning dorm events and parties as a student, so this role was the perfect fit.&rdquo;<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>See more Regional Alumni Network <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/giving.umw.edu\/blog\/2026\/09\/21\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/giving.umw.edu\/blog\/2026\/09\/21\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/\"><strong>event photos<\/strong><\/a><strong>. Find&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.umw.edu\/connect\/regional-networks\/\"><strong><em>Regional Alumni Networks<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em><strong>&nbsp;in your area. Check the&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.umw.edu\/attend\/full-alumni-event-calendar\/\"><strong><em>UMW Alumni calendar<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em><strong>&nbsp;for upcoming gatherings.&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:gduggins@umw.edu\">Email<\/a> Director of Alumni Programs Phillip Duggins to learn how you can get involved.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>byJessica Mitchell Essalih &rsquo;05 jumped at the chance to lead the University of Mary Washington&rsquo;s Texas Regional Alumni Network when she relocated from New York City to Austin.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s remarkable, even for a few hours, to be surrounded by people who value UMW&rsquo;s Honor Code, a liberal arts education and a Carl&rsquo;s milkshake,&rdquo; said Essalih, who [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1236,"featured_media":111271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"umw_cb_additional_links":[[]],"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_advisory_expires_time":"","_advisory_meta_include":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[704],"tags":[],"topics":[],"class_list":["post-111239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-top-stories","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.5 (Yoast SEO v28.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>UMW\u2019s Regional Alumni Networks Create Connections Across the Country - News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UMW\u2019s Regional Alumni Networks Create Connections Across the Country\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"byJessica Mitchell Essalih &rsquo;05 jumped at the chance to lead the University of Mary Washington&rsquo;s Texas Regional Alumni Network when she relocated from New York City to Austin.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s remarkable, even for a few hours, to be surrounded by people who value UMW&rsquo;s Honor Code, a liberal arts education and a Carl&rsquo;s milkshake,&rdquo; said Essalih, who [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UniversityofMaryWashington\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-06T15:35:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-06T18:47:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/NewRelease_Alumni2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"413\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jill Laiacona\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@UMaryWash\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@UMaryWash\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jill Laiacona\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/06\\\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/06\\\/umws-regional-alumni-networks-create-connections-across-the-country\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jill Laiacona\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/81cd90fbc8c9a45401477e39ce19ef4b\"},\"headline\":\"UMW\u2019s Regional Alumni Networks Create Connections Across the 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