Get to Know GWAA President Will Alexander (If You Don’t Already)

Double alumnus Will Alexander assumed the presidency of the GW Alumni Association last summer.

The D.C. native who graduated from the School Without Walls made the most of his six years at GW. During his time on campus, Alexander, B.S. ’04, M.B.A. ’06, was a brother of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., a member of the cheerleading team, a cabinet member of what was then Colonial Inauguration and a Presidential Administrative Fellow.

He hasn’t slowed down much. In addition to leading the GWAA, Alexander is an expert on construction, real estate and sustainability, and he is currently the owner of SUSTAINABUILT.

GW Magazine caught up with Alexander to learn about how he envisions his role as GWAA president, his favorite on-campus moments and—in a bonus lightning round–his celebrity crush, dream vacation and more.

Why is staying connected to the university important to you?

I was a Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholar, so much of what I enjoyed from my time as a student was made possible by someone investing in the success of young people like me. I had a ball at GW, and I want to ensure that subsequent generations of students have an opportunity to experience all that I did and more. Recognizing those who invested in you can sometimes be taken for granted as a student while you’re in the midst of studying for exams, participating in athletics and navigating relationships. But as an alumnus, I am able to reflect on how invaluable that opportunity was for me. I work hard to be that “someone” for today’s young people.

What do you hope to accomplish as GWAA president?

I didn’t enter this role with any preset agenda. I really want to spend the time talking to fellow alumni, understanding where they are, their needs and concerns, and helping make connections that help build a strong alumni community. I am working with GW’s Office of Alumni Relations to create opportunities that bring more alumni into the fold and contribute to the university’s mission of educating future generations of scholars. An example of this is the Judge Leah Brock McCartney mural project. It arose from two students’ experience in a course taught by GW Professor Jordan S. West exploring Black feminist theory. They were struck by the legacy of GW’s first Black woman graduate and sought to share their understanding of her life and impact with the broader university community by creating a mural on campus. As alumni, we have an opportunity to support these efforts through volunteerism and fundraising to bring this initiative into fruition. To me, this is what the role is all about. What are the things that our students, faculty and staff are engaged in? What ways can we, as alumni, contribute to the furtherance of such enriching experiences for generations to come?

Photography:

William Atkins