Campaign Statement

I am honored to be nominated for VP/Alumni Activities, having served as a Council member this year. Fortuitously, work brought me back to NYC two years ago, just as the announcement was made that the school would no longer be tuition-free. Like many others, I was disappointed, and I wanted to see if there was some way I could contribute. I decided to run for a position on the Alumni Council and was fortunate to be elected. Through my work on the Council, I have had the pleasure of serving with other talented and committed alumni who are also very passionate about Cooper Union and discussing how the Council should respond to current issues.

I am very excited about serving as VP of Alumni Activities. By conducting activities that bring the alumni community together, we are strengthening and empowering our organization, as the school’s largest stakeholder group. I envision hosting a diverse array of first -time and established events to learn, share and socialize that attract alumni young and old, art/architecture/engineering, and those who regularly participate as well as those who have never attended a Cooper Union event. My experience as Chair of the Election Committee particularly in the areas of communication and outreach as well as my own extensive experience in organizational management will help me be effective in this position. Best of all, I look forward to personally meeting with many of you.

Bio

Kay Nordstrom ME’77 is currently assigned by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation as Project Manager for Hurricane Sandy relief for public transportation systems in the New York area. Following graduation she worked for the General Electric Co. in New York and Philadelphia as Field Engineer, Project Manager and Marketing Manager. She received her MBA in 1986 from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. In 1988, she established Kay Nordstrom Engineering, Inc. advising public transit agencies in project management and operations. Her clients were located in the Boston area and in developing countries including Haiti and Nigeria. In 2009, Kay was hired by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration’s International Programs Office. She has conducted capacity building workshops in Africa and served a one-year tour in Kabul, Afghanistan helping to rebuild its public transportation systems.

Kay was elected to the Cooper Union Alumni Council last year. She has served on the Gano Dunn Award Committee, Peter Cooper Service Award Committee, and is now chairing the Election Committee.