Vol. 6 [UT Member Interview]🎤Fiona Mazurenko (MPAff ’09), UT Director of Global Initiatives and Alumni Relations

🎤 Can you tell us about your role as director of global initiatives and alumni relations, and what the office’s core mission is?

I am honored to serve as Director of Global Initiatives and Alumni Relations at The University of Texas at Austin, within Texas Global. My team contributes to the university’s global engagement strategy by strengthening institutional partnerships, cultivating relationships with alumni worldwide, supporting faculty engagement, stewarding philanthropic support for global initiatives, and managing scholarship opportunities for study abroad and international students. With respect to global alumni relations, our purpose is to foster a vibrant, engaged alumni community, build a sustained pipeline of connections, and create meaningful opportunities for engagement, regardless of where alumni are based. This role sits within the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, which differs from how similar functions are structured at many other universities. I work closely with colleagues across colleges and schools, Texas Exes, and Texas Development to ensure coordinated efforts and to strengthen the university’s connection to alumni living outside the United States.

🎤 How does UT currently engage alumni living and working outside the United States — particularly in Asia?

UT engages international alumni through a range of channels, including regional alumni associations; faculty‑ and university‑led programs; targeted communications; opportunities connecting alumni and students; and both virtual and in‑person events of varying scale. This approach continues to expand as alumni interests and needs evolve.

Asia is home to UT’s largest alumni population outside the United States, making it a key focus for our work. International alumni engagement is not one‑size‑fits‑all, which is why we spend significant time listening and working closely with alumni leaders on the ground. Our approach is intentionally responsive, reflecting local interests, professional environments, and cultural nuances.

We also recognize that alumni want different things at different stages of life, so we prioritize flexibility. Time is limited and valuable, and our goal is to make engagement meaningful without being burdensome—allowing alumni to participate in ways that fit their lives. In addition, many colleges and schools offer opportunities for more direct involvement, such as serving on advisory boards.

🎤 What programs or resources does Texas Global offer that alumni in Korea might not know about?

Texas Global offers many accessible ways to stay connected to UT:

• Mentorship and student engagement opportunities
• Hosting send‑off or welcome events for students
• Speaking opportunities on campus or virtually
• Alumni leadership development and peer exchange across regions
• Volunteer initiatives like Fair in a Box, where alumni represent UT at college fairs or outreach events
• Virtual and in‑person programs, from faculty talks to briefings on global issues
• Ongoing university communications, often starting simply by keeping contact information up to date

🎤 How has international alumni engagement evolved in recent years, and where do you see it heading?

Alumni relations continue to evolve, and context is always key. International alumni engagement in particular has become an increasingly important and distinct focus for universities. It is shifting from being primarily event‑based to being more relationship‑driven and aligned with localized interests. The goal is to provide value and meaningful experiences, so there is a growing emphasis on lifelong learning, mentorship, networking, and intellectual exchange, as well as social connection.

Because international alumni engagement is shaped by distance, time zones, cultural context, and differing expectations of involvement, it is becoming increasingly localized and alumni‑driven. Strong regional leadership matters more than ever, as meaningful engagement in Seoul may look very different from that in Austin, Monterrey, London, Dubai, Singapore, and elsewhere.

Looking ahead, I see international alumni playing an expanded role as true partners in a university’s global presence—connecting institutions to regional expertise, supporting students and faculty, and identifying academic, research, and industry opportunities that are aligned with the institution’s priorities. In doing so, alumni help shape the university’s reputation and presence locally while advancing the enduring value of their degrees. International alumni aren’t just staying connected to their university; they’re helping extend its reach and relevance globally.

🎤 What would you say to a Longhorn alum based in Korea who feels disconnected from UT since graduating — how can they reconnect?

Feeling disconnected is common, especially for alumni living far from campus. Reconnecting does not require a major commitment. It can start small: attending a local alumni gathering, joining a virtual program, volunteering to mentor a student, or simply re‑engaging through university communications. There is no single “right” way to be an involved alum and it’s never too late. A simple first step is to make sure your contact information is up to date so you receive opportunities and news that align with your interests.

For Longhorns in Korea, UTAKA offers an accessible and welcoming place to start, and it stands out as a powerful example of what alumni can build together around a shared purpose. UTAKA has developed a robust platform for connection, offering a range of opportunities from professional and intellectual programming to social gatherings and community‑building events, supported by a strong communications infrastructure.

🎤 Is there any message you would like to share with the SXSK readership regarding the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit in Seoul?

The Texas Global Alumni Summit in Seoul marks an important milestone within a broader, ongoing engagement with alumni in Korea. When I first visited in 2022 to host Texas Global’s first gathering, about 30 alumni attended. That early work was intentionally small and focused on building relationships—listening, understanding what alumni valued, and learning how UT could be a meaningful partner from afar. Over time, and thanks to the leadership of key alumni and friends in Seoul, those connections deepened.

The summit represents the next step in that progression: the university’s first long‑format, interdisciplinary gathering bringing together alumni, deans, and faculty for dialogue on issues of regional and global significance.

We chose Seoul because of UT’s long‑standing academic partnerships in Korea and, just as importantly, because of the strength and leadership of the Korean alumni community. Today, more than 130 alumni from 19 countries across five continents are registered to attend—that is a significant accomplishment.

I am deeply grateful to the alumni and friends who have stepped up throughout this journey, to those who led early initiatives, and to the SXSK readership and the UTAKA community for their continued leadership and dedication. We look forward to continuing this dialogue in Seoul and beyond.