The SMLR Alumni Association began with an informal meeting in December 1995 when 30 graduates met at the home of Professor Art Aranoff. In its inaugural year, the association elected an executive board, developed bylaws, established a centralized database of alumni, and published its first newsletter. By 1997-1998, the association had more than 95 members representing two countries and 14 states.
In October 2000, the newly elected board approved a mission statement that fully incorporated the SMLR Alumni Association`s mission and purpose:
"To keep the Alumni Association members connected collegially and professionally to SMLR, Rutgers University, and other alumni in order to provide career development and networking through exposure to leading edge resources, research events, and student involvement, and to support the SMLR vision."
The association continued to grow and evolve to meet the needs of members and support and reflect the many programs at SMLR. In 2001, the association created an annual fellowship to provide financial assistance to one student enrolled in the M.L.E.R. program and one enrolled in the M.H.R.M. program. This fellowship is funded from membership dues and gifts from alumni. While the association has undergone many transformations, it has remained true to its original intent to promote the interests and welfare of the membership through maintenance and ongoing upgrading of personal competencies, creation of a communication forum concentrating on both human resources and labor relations topics, and a variety of activities designed to enhance social interaction of its membership.
In 2003, the Labor Alumni Network (LAN), which represents both undergraduate and graduate students in the labor program, voted to join the SMLR Alumni Association. The LAN continues as a committee within the SMLR Alumni Association sponsoring discussions of special interest to labor program alumni and social events. In addition, the alumni association has, for the past two years, sponsored a mentoring program that pairs current graduate students with alumni who provide guidance for job searching and career development.
In 2004, the SMLR Alumni Association joined the Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA) as an academic constituent group, giving its members access to newsletters, magazines, volunteer opportunities, and funding.
