About the Community Development Alumni Association (CDAA)
Launched in 2025, the CDAA is an alumni group that provides a forum for people to connect with each other and with the program and develop new collaborations. The vision of the CDAA is to cultivate a dynamic network of Community Development alumni who drive change across sectors and redefine how we connect, support, and give back. Right now, we’re focused on building the community of folks who want to work together on that.
How It Started
For years, CDGG alumni and faculty (shout out to Frank Hirtz) have organized gatherings in the Sacramento area and online to bring people together. As community developers, we understand the importance of building strong communities, yet we lacked a dedicated space to do this for our own network.
In 2023 and 2024, alumni Evan Schmidt and Tara Zagofsky hosted spring mixers on the UC Davis campus, bringing together alumni, students, and faculty. These events were a clear success—sparking reconnections, new relationships, and opportunities for mentorship, networking, and internships. The enthusiasm made it clear: there was a strong desire to continue building this community.
From Idea to Launch
In Spring 2025, Tara Zagofsky taught CRD 250: Professional Skills for Community Development, a core course in the UC Davis master’s program focused on hands-on, collaborative learning. As part of the course, students researched, designed, and supported the launch of the CDAA. They also hosted the 2025 Spring Mixer and helped establish the inaugural Board, officially launching the association.
Without the students’ vision and dedicated to building the CDAA, none of this would have been possible. Thank you to Adrianna Champagne-Zamora, Aida Omrani, Caroline McMullen, Elliott Froissart, Ishmael Sweeney, Jennifer Rodriguez-Alonso, Rissa Slaughter, and Sadaf Sinambari.
Looking Ahead
In 2026, the CDAA Board is focused on building a strong foundation—finalizing bylaws, launching this website and newsletter, establishing a fund, and continuing the now-annual Spring Mixer.
Looking forward, we aim to expand opportunities for engagement, including in-person and virtual events, mentorship programs connecting alumni and students, and partnerships with CDGG initiatives. We are also committed to raising awareness and support for efforts such as the Carrie Armstrong Ruport Fund.
We invite you to be part of this growing community. Get in touch with the Board to volunteer or let us know if you want to host a virtual mixer in your time zone.