Introduction
You’ve put in the work to build a successful alumni program. Congratulations! But don’t rest on your laurels. It’s time to take your alumni program to the next level. Here are 10 powerful strategies to help you do just that:
Leverage Technology With an Alumni Management Portal
Don’t let your alumni feel like they’re forgotten once they’ve graduated. Keep them connected to your institute and the community with an alumni management portal. This will give them access to a variety of resources, such as:
-A directory of alumni members
-News and updates from the institute
-Class reunion planning tools
-An online forum for networking and reconnecting with classmates
-Job and career resources
Best of all, a portal like this can be easily integrated into your website, making it easy for your alumni to stay connected.
Create Networking Opportunities Across Borders
You could also create opportunities for your alumni to network with one another. This could be done in person, or through online platforms.
By connecting your alumni with each other, you’re giving them a chance to expand their professional networks. They’ll also have the opportunity to learn from one another and share their experiences and advice.
Your alumni are a valuable resource, and by empowering them to connect with one another, you’re helping them to reach their full potential.
Utilize Your Alumni’s Knowledge & Connections
One great way to level up your alumni program is to utilize your alumni’s knowledge and connections.
Your alumni are a valuable resource for you, and they have the potential to be a huge asset to your institution. Tap into that potential by asking them to help out with things like mentoring current students, recruiting new students, and even fundraising.
And don’t forget to leverage their connections too. encourage your alumni to stay connected with their friends and colleagues from school, and help them connect you with other alumni who may be able to help out with your alumni program.
Put an Emphasis on Professional Development & Mentorship
When it comes to alumni engagement, professional development and mentorship are two of the most important things you can offer your graduates. Professional development opportunities allow alumni to sharpen their skills, stay connected to their profession, and get advice from experienced professionals in their field. Meanwhile, mentorship can provide invaluable guidance for those just starting out in their careers.
Creating an alumni mentorship program is easier than you think. You can start by surveying your alumni network to find out who is interested in being a mentor. Then match mentors with mentees based on their career paths and interests. Finally, develop a framework for the program: decide on a communication method (in-person meetings/virtual calls), set expectations, determine time commitments etc.
Leveraging the power of your alumni network is a sure-fire way to give graduates the professional development and mentorship they need to succeed in their careers while also helping build stronger relationships between your institution and its graduates
Offer Unique Benefits & Discounts
Offer those who have graduated from your educational institution unique benefits and discounts. This will show them that you appreciate their loyalty to your institute.
For example, you can offer discounted flights and hotels to alumni who travel on business or offer access to special discounts and promotions at stores they commonly shop at. You can even partner with other schools or universities to extend your offerings. By giving your alumni a unique way to save money, you’ll be increasing their engagement with the program and making them feel valued for their loyalty.
Encourage Engagement Through Special Events
Organizing special events is an excellent way to encourage engagement among alumni, and to keep alumni excited about being a part of the larger community. These events can include happy hours, lecture series or class reunions that help alumni stay connected.
These types of events also create a sense of camaraderie and nostalgia for past members, building on shared experiences and allowing alumni to network with each other for future opportunities. One way to elevate these kinds of events is by inviting guest speakers and experts in your field this further strengthens your program’s reach.
Organizing special events can be time-consuming, but it is important to prioritize them if you are looking for ways to encourage engagement among your alumni base. Not only will alumni appreciate the chance to reconnect with their peers, but you’ll be creating opportunities for meaningful conversations about the future of your program.
Team Up With the Community to Make a Difference
Want to take your alumni program to the next level? Team up with your alums and the community to make a difference. Alumni are passionate about their school and want to stay connected. So why not use that passion and team up to do some good?
You could set up a volunteer program where alums help clean up a local park, participate in food drives, or raise money for a cause. Or how about arranging campus visits for alums who would otherwise be unable to make it back for a reunion? No matter what you decide, it is an excellent way of engaging with alumni and creating deeper relationships with them. It also provides great PR opportunities by highlighting the positive impact your institute is making in the community.
By forming relationships with alums, you can also get invaluable feedback from them that can help improve future programs and events. They are likely to have ideas on what worked well in the past, as well as suggestions on how to shake things up. Talk about increasing engagement and loyalty!
Keep Alumni Up to Date With Digital Communications Tools
Say your alumni program is looking to connect more with its graduates and keep them updated on what is happening in their former university. An excellent way to do this could be to use digital communication tools, such as social media platforms, newsletters, email, virtual events and even mobile apps.
Having a digital presence not only helps your alumni stay informed, but also gives them the opportunity to reach out to fellow alumni. It can also help you create networks of alumni around the world and foster collaborations between students, faculty, and staff.
Social media alone can be used to reach out to broader audiences in a short amount of time and spread awareness about events or programs that are taking place. Plus, it is an opportunity for you to get feedback from your alumni so make sure you take advantage of it!
Leverage Social Media Platforms for Added Reach
Are you looking for added reach for your alumni program? One of the quickest, most cost-effective and efficient ways is to utilize your existing social media platforms. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can help you reach a bigger audience as well as connect with individuals who are passionate about your institution and its activities.
Social media can also be used to share compelling stories of your institute’s journey, good accomplishments and even alumni success stories that will further build engagement and give potential donors an incentive to support the program’s activities. You can also use social media to host virtual events such as webinars and seminars that cover topics related to your alumni program. This will attract more people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, it can facilitate cross-contact between alumni from different departments and/or geographical locations helping them stay closely connected with their alma mater.
Invite Former Staff Members to Play a Greater Role
Inviting former staff to take a greater role in your alumni program can be a great way to deepen the level of engagement. Consider bringing back retired professors, or inviting former staff members to come back and join as guest speakers. This will give your alumni that sense of continuity and connection to the institution, while also providing an invaluable opportunity for current students to get a better understanding of the history and culture of their alma mater.
Having alumni involved in the activities and gatherings of your program can also help you ensure that your events are tailored to the values and interests of your student demographic, which will make them more successful. Additionally, these events provide alumni with a chance to stay in touch with their alma mater, respond positively to its message and take on leadership roles within their communities.
Conclusion
Your alumni represent a powerful force that can help your school achieve its strategic goals. With the right alumni program in place, you can harness that power and achieve great things for your institution. But it is not going to be easy.
The good news is that we have put together a list of ten tips that will help you take your alumni program to the next level. Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to building a successful alumni community that will help your institute achieve its goals.
March 21, 2022
