Style Guidelines: Alumni Relations
When referring to our alumni, nomenclature consistent with the Valencia College brand should be used. These are terms that are often confused, so we’ve put together this short guide for you to use as a reference.
Still unsure? We’re happy to help.
If you have any questions, please call or email the Alumni Relations office: alumni@valenciacollege.edu
407-582-3254
Terminology
Since 1967, more than 200,000 alumni have graduated from Valencia College. As of November 30, 2021, the Office of Alumni Relations will classify those who have attended Valencia College as follows:
Alumni-Related Terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Alumna/Alumnus/Alumnx |
Singular term (female, male, non-binary) for a Valencia College student who graduated from Valencia College with an A.A., A.S., B.S., B.A.S. degree or technical certificate. |
| Alumni |
Plural term for people who have graduated from Valencia College, i.e., “Alumni from the Class of 2008.” |
| Alumnae |
Plural term for females who have graduated from Valencia College, i.e., “Alumnae from the Class of 2013.” |
| Graduate |
A person who has graduated or is about to graduate from Valencia College with an A.A., A.S., B.A.S. degree or technical certification. Also, a person who has completed or is about to complete a certificate or A.S.T. industry certification. |
| Recent Graduate |
Refers to someone who graduated within the past five years. |
| Legacy Alumna/Alumnus/Alumnx |
Any member of Valencia College’s alumni who has returned to work at the College as faculty, staff or in administration. |
| Former Student |
A person who was enrolled in a Valencia College degree or technical certification program but did not graduate. |
| Valencia College |
The full name of the school, Valencia College, should always be used. Just using “Valencia” is not within our brand standards. |
| Alma Mater | Alma mater is the term used to describe the relationship of a school to its alumni, i.e., “Valencia College is my brother’s alma mater,” or, “My alma mater is Valencia College.” |
Terminology
Since 1967, more than 200,000 students have graduated from Valencia College. As of November 30, 2021, the Office of Alumni Relations will classify those who have attended Valencia College as follows:
Alumni-Related Terminology
Alumna/Alumnus/Alumnx:
Singular term (female, male, non-binary) for a Valencia College student who graduated
from Valencia College with an A.A., A.S., B.S., B.A.S. degree or technical certificate.
Alumni:
Plural term for people who have graduated from Valencia College, i.e., “Alumni from
the Class of 2008.”
Alumnae:
Plural term for females who have graduated from Valencia College, i.e., “Alumnae from
the Class of 2013.”
Graduate:
A person who has graduated or is about to graduate from Valencia College with an A.A.,
A.S., B.A.S. degree or technical certification. Also, a person who has completed or
is about to complete a certificate or A.S.T. industry certification.
Recent Graduate:
Refers to someone who graduated within the past five years.
Legacy Alumna/Alumnus/Alumnx:
Any member of Valencia College’s alumni who has returned to work at the College as
faculty, staff or in administration.
Former Student:
A person who was enrolled in a Valencia College degree or technical certification
program but did not graduate.
General Terminology
Valencia College
The full name of the school, Valencia College, should always be used. Just using “Valencia”
is not within our brand standards.
Alma Mater
Alma mater is the term used to describe the relationship of a school to its alumni,
i.e., “Valencia College is my brother’s alma mater,” or, “My alma mater is Valencia
College.”
Graduation Year
- John Smith ’84
- John Smith 1984
The full graduation year is used in sentence form, and an abbreviated year is used in list/descriptor form:
- Becky Jones, a 2009 graduate of Valencia College, won an Oscar.
- Oscar winners include: Becky Jones ’09, Bill Jackson ’11 and Bob Hill ’07.
The graduation year of an alumna/alumnus/alux can be shown in full or abbreviated.
- John Smith ’84
- John Smith 1984
The full graduation year is used in sentence form, and an abbreviated year is used in list/descriptor form:
- Becky Jones, a 2009 graduate of Valencia College, won an Oscar.
- Oscar winners include: Becky Jones ’09, Bill Jackson ’11 and Bob Hill ’07.
How to abbreviate:
When abbreviating the year, the last two digits of the year follow a “right single quotation mark,” the official Unicode name for the curly type of apostrophe.
To type a right single quotation mark:
PC: Press-and-hold the ALT key and then type 0146
MAC: Type Shift+Option+]
Alumni Related Terminology (table)
Since 1967, nearly 200,000 students have graduated from Valencia College. As of 11/30/21, the Office of Alumni Relations will classify those who have attended Valencia College as follows:
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Alumna / Alumnus / Alumnx | Singular term (female, male, non-binary) for a Valencia College student who graduated from Valencia College with an A.A., A.S., B.S., B.A.S. degree or technical certificate. |
| Alumni |
Plural term for people who have graduated from Valencia College, i.e., “Alumni from the Class of 2008.” |
| Alumnae |
Plural term for females who have graduated from Valencia College, i.e., “Alumnae from the Class of 2013.” |
| Graduate | A person who has graduated or is about to graduate from Valencia College with an A.A., A.S., B.A.S. degree or technical certification. Also, a person who has completed or is about to complete a certificate or A.S.T. industry certification. |
| Recent Graduate |
Refers to someone who graduated within the past five years. |
| Legacy Alumna / Alumnus / Alumnx |
Any member of Valencia College’s alumni who has returned to work at the College as faculty, staff or in administration. |
| Former Student |
A person who was enrolled in a Valencia College degree or technical certification program but did not graduate. |
General Terminology
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Valencia College | The full name of the school, Valencia College, should always be used. Just using “Valencia” is not within our brand standards. |
| Alma Mater | Alma mater is the term used to describe the relationship of a school to its alumni,
i.e., “Valencia College is my brother’s alma mater,” or, “My alma mater is Valencia College.” |
Degree Hierarchy
In sentence form
When referring to a Valencia College alumna/alumnus/alumnx in sentence form, the proper order is (name), (degree) (major if any)
- Jane Doe, who has an associate in arts in film, showed us her short film.
Specific degree area
When referring to a Valencia College alumna/alumnus/alumnx who earned a degree in a specific area, the proper order is (name), (degree/certificate) (year of graduation/completion):
- Jane Doe, A.S. in Business Administration ’08
More than one degree earned
If more than one degree was earned at Valencia College, both are referenced with the most recent appearing first:
- Jane Doe, B.A.S. ’10 and A.S. ’08
In press materials/editorial formats
When referring to a Valencia College alumna/alumnus/alumnx in press materials/editorial formats, the proper order is (name), (degree) (year of graduation/completion):
- Jane Doe, A.S. ’08
Equal levels of multiple degrees
If degrees of equal levels were earned at Valencia College, (i.e., A.A. in Music Performance, A.S. in Audio Technology and Sound Production) the degree that best correlates with the editorial purpose should be referenced:
- John Smith, A.A. in Music Performance ’07, guest-conducted the Orlando Opera’s production of “La Boheme” on December 8, 2020.
- John Smith, A.S. in Audio Technology and Sound Production ’07, co-produced the recent recording of “Orlando Opera in Concert.”
Certificate Hierarchy
One certificate
When referring to a Valencia College technical certification alumna/alumnus/alumnx, the proper order is (name), (certification) (year):
- Mike Jones, EMT ’07
More than one certificate
When referring to a Valencia College technical certification alumna/alumnus/alumnx with more than one certificate, only the higher-level certificate is listed:
- Mike Jones, Paramedic Technology ’09