Get to Know Eric Eickhoff
Eric Eickhoff joined NEOMED as associate director, alumni and donor engagement in August. He recently shared more about himself and his position with The Pulse.
Why did you want to become part of the NEOMED community?
When I learned about the position in Alumni Relations, it certainly interested me. I find joy in building programs and creating initiatives, helping universities and colleges connect with their constituents. The mission of NEOMED is also so important. How can you not be excited to serve an organization that is helping create the next generation of transformational leaders in health care?
What are your primary responsibilities in your role?
My primary roles include young alumni and donor engagement, the Future Alumni of NEOMED (FAN) Club, Casino Night, alumni awards, affinity groups and some marketing and promotion of alumni relations programs and events.
What is something you enjoy about working with alumni?
One of the reasons I enjoy working with alumni is that they are passionate about their alma mater. Those who want to stay involved, and even those who lost touch and then return, value and appreciate what their alma mater has done for them. Seeing alumni connect with the faculty and staff who had an impact on both their professional and personal lives is incredibly rewarding.
What is something most people don’t know about your position?
People usually associate alumni relations with fundraising, and while they are linked, they are different. Alumni relations truly is focused on developing the connection between an individual (usually an alumnus or alumna, but sometimes friends, families and students) and the school. If we are doing our job and making those connections stronger or reestablishing them with individuals, it makes it easier for the University to ask for philanthropic support. It truly is a two-way street.
Are you originally from Northeast Ohio? If not, where are you from?
I was raised in Pepper Pike, Ohio, and went through the Orange school system. I then attended Ohio Wesleyan University for my undergrad and received my M.Ed. from the College of William & Mary in Virginia. My family moved back to Cleveland in 2011.
What are you most excited about in your first year at NEOMED?
I think being able to make a difference in the life of the University. By helping create meaningful connections to our alumni, we ultimately strengthen the student experience.
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
My family loves baseball and softball. We are avid Guardians fans, making it to about 20 games a year. This past summer, we went to all of the teams in the Guardians farm system (Lynchburg, Lake County, Akron, Columbus and Cleveland). For the past two seasons, I have coached my daughter’s fastpitch team.
I also love to travel. For the past few years, my family has gone on a summer road trip, usually focusing on national parks and historic sites. I have been to 47 states (need Alaska, Hawaii and New Mexico) and about 160 National Park Service sites. I really enjoy learning about history.
Where’s your favorite place to spend time in Northeast Ohio?
As evident by my previous answer, pretty much any ballpark, but I really do love Progressive Field. I have had so many memorable experiences there. For me, it is one of the best parks in MLB. I also really enjoy going to the Wade Oval, specifically the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. Northeast Ohio is truly fortunate to have the cultural institutions that we have. This may sound strange, but I also enjoy Lake View Cemetery. The individuals who are interred there built Cleveland, and I love learning about that. The grounds are beautiful, and so are many of the monuments. Finally, our park system (Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Cuyahoga and Geauga County Parks) is pretty amazing as well.