Rider Alumni Association welcomes new president

Stephen Brill '01 is the new president of the Rider Alumni Association Board of Directors. Brill has been a member of the Board since 2012, previously serving as first vice president. His term as president officially began on July 1.

Brill graduated from Rider with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double major in marketing and computer information systems. He went on to complete his Master of Business Administration and law degree from Rutgers University. He spent 13 years at Fox Rothschild, earning partner and focusing on corporate and securities law. He is currently associate general counsel and director of legal compliance at Smart Sand, Inc., where he handles a broad range of matters including corporate governance, commercial contracts and securities compliance.

Congratulations on your new role as president of the Rider Alumni Association Board of Directors! How did you originally become involved with the alumni association?

During my time at Rider, I was the president of DAARSTOC, which is a professional skill-building organization in the Norm Brodsky College of Business (formerly, the College of Business Administration). The organization was run by Dr. Mark Sandberg, who was the dean at the time. Mark and I stayed in touch after graduation and I asked him how I could go about getting involved more at Rider as an alumnus. He connected me with the alumni office. I applied to be a member of the Board of Directors and have served in various roles since I was accepted. This is a great example of how effective networking can lead to new opportunities.

How does maintaining a connection to Rider benefit alumni?

First, it creates a better university, which ultimately benefits all alumni. The Alumni Association — the Board in particular — wants to hear from alumni. We want to hear about their experiences, questions, concerns and ideas. Through this type of active listening, we're able to bring all these things to the table and make positive changes at Rider.

Second, it provides an avenue for alumni to connect with other alumni. Networking is so important in all of our careers and having something great in common (like a Rider degree) allows people to network much more effectively. The common tie to Rider may be all that is needed to create a new connection with someone. I also enjoy talking with alumni that graduated at different times than me because it gives me different perspectives. I believe that listening to many different perspectives makes us more well-rounded and accepting people.

Why did you decide to attend Rider for your undergraduate studies?

It just felt right. I looked at a bunch of schools, but none of them seemed like the right fit. When I visited Rider, I knew it was the place for me. I was a tour guide during my time at Rider. I used to tell prospective students that all of the details I would share on the tour are important, but the most important thing is how Rider felt to them. Did it fit what they were looking for in a university? For me, Rider was the perfect fit.

What is your favorite Rider memory?

I don’t have one specific memory as my time at Rider is filled with so many great memories. I really enjoyed my time on the Student Entertainment Council. I was able to participate in a wide variety of activities with the council and I met several people that I remain close friends with to this day.

What inspired you to become president? 

I have enjoyed being on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and have had a desire to grow within the organization by taking on more responsibility. I enjoyed my time as a student at Rider and I get a lot of satisfaction out of remaining connected with the University. By becoming more involved as an officer of the Board — and ultimately becoming president — I have more opportunity to connect with the University staff, other alumni and current students. I really enjoy this connection.

What are some of your responsibilities as president?

I think that the biggest responsibility is helping the Board to set and work toward its many goals for the year. In addition, the President is responsible for listening to the input that the Board provides and interfacing with the University to better serve alumni. The Office of Alumni Relations at Rider does a tremendous job, and they really welcome the input from the Board.