LAGRANGE, Ga. (Jan. 16, 2026) – Emily Palubeski, Director of Student and New Alumni Engagement for the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, received the award for Excellence in Alumni Relations at the 2025 GEAC Conference in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
In her role, Palubeski leads several of the Alumni Association’s major engagement initiatives, including oversight of the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Council. Her team also supports three student organizations - the Student Alumni Association, Student Ambassadors and the GT Student Foundation - and leads efforts to educate students and recent graduates on Alumni Association resources and post-graduation engagement opportunities.
Palubeski has played a central role in advancing the Alumni Association’s strategic plan, with a focus on increasing engagement among graduating students and new alumni, expanding student giving and using data to inform program decisions. Under her leadership, participation has increased across programs, including record application numbers for student organizations. Her work supporting student giving to Roll Call, Georgia Tech’s Fund for Excellence, contributed to record student giving totals in fiscal year 2025.
She has also led the ongoing development of Georgia Tech’s 40 Under 40 program, working with campus partners to ensure a diverse applicant pool and broad representation across academic colleges. The program includes coordinated campus engagement opportunities for honorees, with data showing that alumni participation doubles following involvement and remains elevated over time.
Additional initiatives under Palubeski’s leadership include the launch of the New Alumni Guide, an asynchronous resource designed to support recent graduates with alumni insights and campus resources. The guide has drawn interest from peer institutions seeking to replicate the model.
Within the Alumni Association, Palubeski is recognized for collaborative leadership and team development. She has received the organization’s annual staff recognition for living its values on two occasions and regularly partners with campus units through search committees and leadership development programs.
The award recognizes Palubeski’s sustained impact on alumni engagement, student involvement and cross-campus collaboration at Georgia Tech.