Designed for professionals new to alumni relations, this on-demand course will provide the foundational knowledge needed to further your career and support the alumni relations work at your institution. You’ll come away with the knowledge and skills needed to cultivate alumni affinity, host impactful events, and steward volunteers.
Each module is expected to take between 30-45 minutes to complete.
Scroll down for a more detailed breakdown of the modules.
Introduction
- Emphasize the importance of Alumni Relations to the field of educational advancement & the culture of philanthropy.
- Define diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging according to CASE.
- Explain the importance of integrating DEIB into alumni relations efforts.
Module 1: Affinity EngagementAlumni affinity is foundational to the work of alumni relations because it serves as the glue between alumni and their institution. In order to best serve alumni, it is critical that you first understand the multitude of ways that alumni affinity can be instilled and the strategies for achieving it.
In module one, you will learn how to:
- Define affinity engagement and explain its importance to the profession.
- Identify the types of affinity engagement
- Outline approaches to affinity engagement
Module 2: Regional & Global EngagementExtending your alumni efforts across regional and global borders allows you to tap into new markets for prospective donors and students by meeting alumni where they are and building insitutional affinity.
In module two, you will learn how to:
- Define regional and global engagement and explain its importance to the profession
- Align regional and global engagement with your institution's strategic priorities
- Implement best practices for regional and global engagement
- Identify key performance indicators necessary to track and measure success.
Module 3: Young Alumni EngagementIntroducing institutional affinity to students and young alumni serves as the gateway to volunteer and prospect stewardship.
In module three, you will learn how to:
- Define and explain the purpose and importance of student and young alumni engagement to the profession.
- Identify specific programs that attract students and young alumni.
- Highlight best practices for engaging students and young alumni.
Module 4: Alumni EventsCreating meaninful events for your alumni is a major part of alumni relations efforts.
In module four, you will learn how to:
- Determine the key parameters of an impactful event.
- Recognize the principles and practices for pre-event, on-site, and post-event planning.
- Identify key performance indicators necessary to track and measure success.
Module 5: Volunteer & Board ManagementTo truly grow your alumni relations efforts, you will need a talented group of alumni volunteers and board members supporting you.
In module five, you will be able to:
- Distinguish the difference between task forces, committees, and alumni boards or councils.
- Comprehend key points and best practices for volunteer recruitment, orientation, management, and appreciation.
- Identify strategies for implementing inclusivity in your volunteer and board management efforts.
Conclusion
- Review key takeaways of affinity engagement, event planning, and volunteer management.
- Highlight the stories of current professionals in the alumni relations discipline.