Tradition Meets Technology: Reimagining Alumni Engagement Across Advancement-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session, hosted by Sarah Sims of Texas State University alongside colleagues Christy Troxell and Ryan Boyd, focused on modernizing alumni engagement by blending tradition with technology. They highlighted gaps in senior leadership content for alumni relations and emphasized collaboration to unify alumni and donor engagement efforts. Recognizing the evolution from traditional events (homecomings, chapters) to integrating technology, they underscored the challenge of balancing rich history with changing alumni expectations amid digital distractions.<br /><br />A key theme was measuring alumni engagement through CASE metrics, which categorize engagement into communication, experiential, philanthropic, and volunteerism. Presenters stressed using these metrics to set goals, evaluate programs, and drive data-informed strategies. A notable example was Texas State’s virtual “Welcome to the City” events for new graduates, which successfully boosted multiple engagement metrics by combining in-person networking, volunteer involvement, and strong digital promotion. UT Arlington’s use of simple tech tools, like QR codes linking events to giving campaigns, illustrated how even low-tech methods can increase participation and data collection.<br /><br />Emerging technologies discussed included Coursera career certifications, providing alumni valuable online learning opportunities tied to their alma mater, showing ROI for both alumni and institutions. Staffing challenges were also discussed, highlighting the need for digitally savvy professionals skilled in data analysis, experience design, and multi-channel communications.<br /><br />The speakers encouraged attendees to evaluate and innovate within their means, focusing on elevating existing programs. They advocated collaborating across divisions to leverage data and unify alumni and donor relations, making engagement measurable and a shared campus priority. Resources such as CASE benchmarking cohorts and alumni engagement dashboards were recommended to guide institutions in this ongoing evolution.

Keywords

Alumni Engagement

Texas State University

Senior Leadership

Alumni Relations

Technology Integration

CASE Metrics

Philanthropic Engagement

Volunteerism

Virtual Events

Digital Promotion

Career Certifications

Data-Informed Strategies