Meet IU’s New Chief Alumni Officer
Paul Clifford began serving as the 13th leader of the IU Alumni Association on Jan. 19, 2026, succeeding Tricia Riveire Stumpf, MS’07. On that first day, IU Football won its historic national championship.
Dear Alumni:
There are moments in the life of a university when preparation meets opportunity. This is one of those moments for Indiana University.
This is not simply another milestone in IU’s long history—it is an inflection point. IU is celebrating historic success on the football field, while simultaneously reaching new heights in academic and research excellence that are expanding the university’s impact across Indiana and around the world.
From a national championship in college football to surpassing $1 billion in research and development funding for the first time in our history, Indiana University is demonstrating what sustained excellence looks like. For alumni, this is a moment to feel proud, lean back in, and reconnect—because when IU is rising on every front, it reminds us that we are part of something enduring and ever evolving.
I am honored and energized to begin my role as Chief Alumni Officer at such a pivotal time. My wife, Jenne, and I are grateful for the warm welcome we have received from alumni, volunteers, staff, and friends across the IU community.
There is no place I would rather be, than right here, right now. To serve the largest living alumni base in the world during a time of such momentum is both humbling and inspiring.
The IU Alumni Association stands on its rich and remarkable history and has an ambitious vision for the future. Dedicated volunteers, talented and committed staff, and more than 805,000 passionate alumni have built an organization that is widely recognized as one of the very best in higher education. My responsibility—and my promise—is to honor that legacy while preparing the Association for the future ahead.
As I begin this chapter, several priorities guide my work:
Listen
In the months ahead, my focus will be on connecting with alumni across Indiana, the nation, and the globe. Every alum has a story, and those stories shape how we engage, serve, and advocate for our alumni and our university. I look forward to learning what IU has meant—and continues to mean—in your life.
Innovate
Indiana University continues to welcome new generations of graduates whose expectations and ways of connecting are evolving. We must meet alumni where they are—expanding our digital reach, experimenting with new approaches to engagement, and creating meaningful opportunities to connect—while honoring the traditions and values that define IU.
Sustain and Elevate
The strength of the IU Alumni Association comes from those who invest their time, talent, and generosity in its mission. Our work moving forward will ensure that this strength endures and grows, so future graduates join an alumni network that is as vibrant, inclusive, and impactful as the one we enjoy today. We will flex the power of the Indiana alumni network far and wide.
While our strategies may evolve, our purpose will remain constant. We will continue to:
- strengthen the power and reach of the IU alumni network;
- celebrate and share the remarkable stories of alumni everywhere;
- inspire philanthropy, advocacy, volunteerism, and mentoring; and
- advance Indiana University as a global leader in education, research, and service.
I believe deeply in the power of this alumni community. Together, we can ensure that the IU Alumni Association not only remains among the very best, but continues to set the standard for what an alumni organization can be.
I look forward to the journey ahead—and to building the next chapter of IU alumni engagement with you.
For the glory of IU,
Paul J. Clifford
Chief Alumni Officer
Written By
Paul Clifford