From the moment they set foot on campus last Wednesday, alumni were greeted at the gate by eager seniors welcoming them back to campus for the Alumni Insights Session. As more and more gathered in the administration building for the event, some alumni were interviewed by seniors asking for their words of wisdom for the class of 2023 while others reminisced amongst themselves in awe of how quickly the memories came flooding back. 

“The seniors are excited to welcome alumni back to campus,” shared Lydia Skampavia, an alumna and member of the ACS Athens Global executive committee that spearheaded the event.

“It is the first on-campus event to connect alumni with students since the pandemic, and people are buzzing with excitement.”

The event started with a warm welcome from senior David Mavropoulos, who welcomed students and alumni alike for the panel discussion and the networking that followed. 

Dr. Peter Papageorgiou kicked off the discussion by sharing his background as a scientist and entrepreneur encouraging students toward constant evolution, flexibility, and reinvention as they consider both their academic and professional journeys. 

Melina Vassiliadis echoed the sentiment of evolution and keeping one’s mind open to the opportunities that will cross their path. She shared how instrumental fellow ACS Athens alumni have been in helping her as she navigated her career and called upon the seniors to consider each other and other alumni as one of the most valuable assets they have at their disposal in the years ahead. 

Maria Dimitrakopoulou followed with great enthusiasm noting that the years ahead will be among the BEST years of their lives, while also underscoring the need to seek opportunities and take action in order to make the most of these formative times. 

Lastly, George Sachinis closed the panel discussion by sharing how he coupled his professional expertise as a civil engineer with his passion for theater to encourage students to find ways to bring what they care about to their everyday lives. Using the metaphor of Hadrian’s aqueduct connecting the disparate neighborhoods of Menidi and Kolonaki, he underscored the need for making connections and finding ways to communicate differently to succeed and help others.

David Mavropoulos wrapped up the Alumni Insight Session discussion, but not before highlighting the new Networking and Careers section of ACS Athens Global, where alumni can search to find career tips, as well as job and internship postings. 

A special recognition of Belina Korovessis was also shared to celebrate her as the “mother” of ACS Athens Global, which she established in 2014. In a touching moment, students cheered for Belina, who attended virtually. 

The event concluded with as much energy and chatter as it started as students and alumni mingled over refreshments giving students an opportunity to practice their networking skills, while alumni got the chance to hear from students who will soon become alumni as they prepare for graduation in the next few months.

Many thanks to all of the ACS Athens alumni that attended and made this event a success, including our panelists, Maria Dimatrakopoulou, Dr. Peter Papageorgiou, Giorgos Sachinis, and Melina Vassiliadis, as well as Teo Ananiadis, Wessley Baker, Athanasios (Sam) Fragkogiannis-Matsas, Panos Karamertzanis, Iyad Kayali, Anna Makris, Angeliki Sinou, Nikiforos Skampavias, Konstantinos Stengos, and Fran Tottas. 

We also want to thank the Class of 2023 for co-hosting the event with ACS Athens Global, all of the student volunteers, as well as the ACS Athens faculty and staff that supported the event, including Academy Principal Dr. Dave Nelson, Vice Principal Evelyn Pittas and ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis.