Alumni Association Board Names Richard Kuroghlian as President

Alumni involvement answers the question, ‘How do I give back?’

Richard Kuroghlian ’90 is the new president of Sacred Heart University’s Alumni Association board of directors, after serving as an active board member for nearly seven years.

Kuroghlian said his service to Sacred Heart “meant so much to me over the past years, and it’s an honor, really, to lead this board and lead the Alumni Association. Sacred Heart gave me so much, and to be able to do this is a privilege.”

Todd Gibbs, Sacred Heart’s executive director for development and alumni engagement, said he is excited about working with Kuroghlian in his new role. “Rich’s steady and thoughtful leadership style will serve him well as he works to bridge generations of SHU alumni through outreach and engagement opportunities,” Gibbs said. “He also brings a unique perspective to the Alumni Association, having graduated just prior to Sacred Heart’s transition to a residential campus. By staying connected and living locally, he’s had a front-row seat as the University has evolved.”

His wife, Suzanne, was a marketing major at SHU and graduated in 1993. They regularly bring their 13-year-old daughter to events on campus. “It’s exciting to have them with me along this journey,” Kuroghlian said of his family’s support. “I told my wife that taking on this role would mean more time and dedication than before, and she told me to ‘go for it.’ She understands my love for Sacred Heart because she loves it, too. We’re a Sacred Heart family.”

In 2014, the director of alumni relations at the time approached Kuroghlian about joining the Alumni Association’s board of directors. While Kuroghlian had attended sporting events at SHU to cheer on the Pioneers when he could, he wanted to be more involved with his alma mater, and the director’s invitation afforded him the opportunity. Kuroghlian became a leader on the board within a couple of years as the vice president of recognition.

“As you get older, you start to think ‘How do I give back?’” he said. “Especially after having such a positive experience as a student.”

Kuroghlian urges alumni to become involved in Sacred Heart again. “For you to reconnect, you don’t have to be on the board or be involved in an official capacity. Go to an event. There are so many great things happening online now at Sacred Heart. There are some really dynamic programs and guest speakers available to everyone,” he said.

Alumni don’t need to be on campus to stay in touch with former professors and college friends, said Kuroghlian, as there are Alumni Association chapters that enable members to re-engage from home. And, he added, when social distancing is no longer required, “homecoming is a great way to return and reconnect with people and to see how things are still growing at SHU.”

Kuroghlian also acknowledged his predecessor, Dan Pascone ’06, ’12 MBA as he stepped into his new role. “Dan led us through big changes on the board and, through his leadership, I was able to take the reins in a relatively easy manner,” he said.

After graduating from SHU, Kuroghlian settled in the area with a position with Oxford Health Plans, which later became UnitedHealthcare. He is currently the director of product operations at Signify Health.

The Alumni Association board of directors comprises up to 30 members representing various class years and degrees. They work alongside staff at the office for alumni engagement to build membership and produce programs, events and services for the greater alumni community.

Alumni who are looking for ways to get involved with SHU can contact the office for alumni engagement at alumni@sacredheart.edu or by phone at 203-365-7671.