School Advancement Institute Files-Alumni Program Fundamentals

Alumni Program Fundamentals

Pdf Summary

In her presentation at the CASE School Advancement Institute, Jen Fifer, Director of Institutional Advancement at The Episcopal Academy, outlines key strategies for engaging and leveraging alumni communities effectively. The agenda emphasizes the importance of assessing engagement strategies, ensuring the use of relevant metrics, and developing supportive ideas and programs.<br /><br />Alumni programs are presented as heavily reliant on relationship-building. The goal is to inform, involve, and inspire alumni to foster enduring, mutually beneficial connections. Fifer describes an alumni director as a multifaceted role—encompassing responsibilities as a relationship builder, program creator, volunteer manager, storyteller, spokesperson, and fundraiser. The aim is to design activities that inspire loyalty and financial support, bolster the institution’s reputation, and engage alumni in promoting the school's mission.<br /><br />The presentation identifies critical elements of a high-performing alumni program: storytelling, networking, mentoring, and event management. Storytelling involves sharing the school's history and alumni stories across various media platforms. Networking and mentoring should be accessible and centered on sharing knowledge and opportunities. Event management requires intentional programming to foster meaningful connections, with successes being measured effectively.<br /><br />Fifer also emphasizes the importance of hallmark events like Alumni Weekend and reunions, underscoring the need for memorable experiences and hospitality. Alumni boards play a strategic role, serving as partners to the administration and acting as insiders and ambassadors with clear responsibilities.<br /><br />Lastly, program evaluation and improvement are deemed essential. It’s crucial to measure relevant metrics, ask questions, and understand the alumni base to develop valuable programming. Fifer closes with actionable insights, encouraging immediate implementation of improvements and continuous assessment of success.

Keywords

alumni engagement

relationship-building

storytelling

networking

mentoring

event management

alumni programs

institutional advancement

program evaluation

alumni boards