Betsy Vohs departs as 89th board chair of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association

Following the conclusion of her term as the 89th Board Chair of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, College of Design alumna Betsy Vohs reflects on the partnerships, progress, and sense of community that defined her leadership. Throughout her career, Vohs has been committed to creating meaningful connections – through both her professional work and her service to the University. Among the many initiatives she advanced during her tenure, Vohs guided the development of the One Alumni Community, Five Campuses Framework, which reflects the University's commitment to strengthening relationships with alumni across all five campuses and creating new opportunities for alumni to engage with and support the University.  Vohs recently celebrated Studio BV's 10-year anniversary and was recognized as one of Twin Cities Business's Top 100 Leaders of 2026. In this conversation, she reflects on the work that shaped her tenure, the lasting impact of alumni engagement, and why staying connected to the University continues to matter.

What are you most proud of in your work with the University of Minnesota and the Alumni Association?

I would say the work and effort I put into leading a task force focused on new ways to generate impact and revenue for the UMAA. That was seven years of work and led to major changes in how the UMAA is supported. It also brought me closer to University leaders and forged lasting friendships with my fellow task force members.

As Board Chair, I was especially proud to help lead the development and approval of the One Alumni Community, Five Campuses Framework. It was the result of a year of listening, collaboration, and thoughtful governance with alumni, students, faculty, University leaders, and UMAA CEO Lisa Lewis. Reaching unanimous Board support for a shared vision that strengthens alumni engagement across all five campuses while honoring each campus's unique traditions was incredibly rewarding.

What achievements or growth have you seen at the University and the UMAA?

The University is incredibly resilient. During my seven years on the UMAA Board, I've seen three University presidents and significant leadership transitions, yet the institution has continued to move forward with a clear vision for the future.

One of the most encouraging changes has been the stronger partnership between the University, the Foundation, and the Alumni Association. Working together has created new opportunities to better serve students, alumni, and the University as a whole. I'm also excited by the ways we've strengthened the alumni community through growing affinity networks—such as the Black Alumni Network and the Jewish Alumni Network—and new opportunities for alumni to build lifelong relationships through shared experiences, volunteer leadership, and engagement with the University.

What initiatives or programs were you able to develop?

I was passionate about investing in people and creating opportunities for engagement. That included recognizing outstanding faculty through the University's Distinguished Teaching Awards, supporting alumni entrepreneurs through the Minnesota Alumni Market, and encouraging alumni to use their voices to advance the University's mission.

As a design leader, I also advocated for investment in the University's learning environments, including authoring a Minnesota Star Tribune opinion piece highlighting the importance of inspiring spaces and the role design plays in student success.

What was your most memorable experience during your time in this role?

Hosting a Foundation event at my home in Palm Springs stands out as one of my favorite memories. It was a unique opportunity to give back, share a more personal side of my life, and bring people together in support of the University. Seeing the event's success and the connections it helped create made it especially meaningful.

While her service as Board Chair has concluded, Vohs remains deeply engaged with the University and the College of Design community that helped launch her career. As she continues to lead Studio BV, she hopes alumni will continue finding meaningful ways to stay connected, support students, and help shape the University's future.

Learn more about opportunities to connect with and engage in the College of Design alumni community.