Alumni association

Introduction[edit | edit source]

“An alumni association is an association of graduates (alumni) or, more broadly, of former students. [...] These associations often organise social events, publish newsletters or magazines, and raise funds for the organisation. Many provide a variety of benefits and services that help alumni maintain connections to their educational institution and fellow graduates.” (Wikipedia)

Most alumni association also allow parents, current students, faculty and even "friends" to join, since synergy can be gained. E.g. Singer (2002:66) argues that partnership between alumni and student programs should be enforced: “These programs provide opportunities to expose currently enrolled students to the behavior and actions of involved alumni. These modeled behaviors by current alumni (assisting students and the institution with time, advice, and financial support) may help the alumni-in-residence develop an understanding of institutional expectations for its graduates. In addition, the more that colleges and universities are able to connect alumni with currently enrolled students, the better alumni will understand why the institution asks for financial support. [...] Whenever alumni and students have the occasion to interact, both groups, as well as the institution they have in common, tend to benefit significantly. These interactions provide participants with opportunities for interpersonal and professional growth and development.”

Roles of Alumni Association[edit | edit source]

Grouped by categories, although these don't make fully sense right now ...

Provide money[edit | edit source]

From an institutional point of view, the most important roles of alumni management seems to be fundrising (to be confirmed with research data!)

Services outside campus[edit | edit source]

• Career development (including sharing of experience)
• Advising
• Mentoring Programs
• Externship and Internship Opportunities
• Job Placement Programs
• (General) networking (including presence on LinkedIn or Facebook)

Services on campus[edit | edit source]

• Homecoming
• (Free) training and access to various resources
• Transition programs (e.g. orientations, capstone seminars)
• Community service programs (involving both alumni and students)
• Hosting visiting students

Help with admissions[edit | edit source]

“Many colleges and universities have adopted programs that involve alumni directly in the recruitment of prospective students in conjunction with admissions offices.” (Singer, 2002:53). These programs seem to work when a close relationship between the three stakeholders (institution, current students and alumni) can be established. (Kellog, 1996).

• Recuitment
• Admission selections
• Welcome and orientation programs

Interaction of alumni with academics[edit | edit source]

• Knowledge management (input from practice)
• Alumni in Classrooms (Scalzo, 1994)

Organization[edit | edit source]

• Most often sponsored (or run) by the university
• Student participation (student leadership opportunity)
• In some associations, students and faculty can become full members

Links[edit | edit source]

General

• Alumni association (Wikipedia)

Associations

• Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), USA
• Association of Student Alumni Programs, USA

Examples

• MIT

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

• Bingham, Frank G. (2003) An Investigation of the Influence Acknowledgement Programs Have on Alumni Giving Behavior: Implications for Marketing Strategy. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education 12(2)

• Brant, K. E. “Student Alumni Associations: Student Involvement in the Alumni Profession.” In J. A.Feudo (ed.), Alumni Relations: A Newcomer's Guide to Success. New York: Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, 2000.

• David E. Hartman and Sandra L. Schmidt, (1995). Understanding student/alumni satisfaction from a consumer's perspective: The effects of institutional performance and program outcomes Research in Higher Education, Volume 36, Number 2, 197-217, DOI: 10.1007/BF02207788

• Delaney, Anne Marie (2004) Ideas to enhance higher education's impact on graduates’ lives; alumni recommendations. Tertiary Education and Management 10(2)

• Dolbert, S. C. “Alumni admissions programs.” In J. A.Feudo (ed.), Alumni Relations: A Newcomer's Guide to Success. New York: Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, 2000.

• Duarte, Paulo O., Mário B. Raposo & Helena B. Alves (2012) Using a Satisfaction Index to Compare Students’ Satisfaction During and After Higher Education Service Consumption. Tertiary Education and Management, DOI

• Howard, P. and DW Henry. Assessment of Graduate Outcomes: Focus on Professional and Community Activities, … - American Journal of Pharmaceutical …, 1998 - AJPE PDF.

• Jablonski, M. R. “Collaborations Between Student Affairs and Alumni Relations.” In J. A.Feudo (ed.), Alumni Relations: A Newcomer's Guide to Success. New York: Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, 2000.

• Nayman, R. L., Gianneschi, H. R. and Mandel, J. M. (1993), Turning students into alumni donors. New Directions for Student Services, 1993: 85–94. doi: 10.1002/ss.37119936310

• Nuza, J. “A Powerful Network.” CASE Currents, 1998, 24(6), 12–13.

• Ryan, E. “Foundations for the Future.” CASE Currents, 1992, 18(3), 24–27.

• Scalzo, T. “United Efforts: A Look at Five Campus Programs that Bring Students and Alumni Together.” CASE Currents, 1994, 20(9), 35–39.

• Singer, T. S. and Hughey, A. W. (2002), The role of the alumni association in student life. New Directions for Student Services, 2002: 51–68. doi: 10.1002/ss.70. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ss.70/pdf

• Shoffer, M. Creating a Community of Support for Beginning English Teachers,

• Wastyn, M Linda (2009) Why alumni don’t give: A qualitative study of what motivates non-donors to higher education. International Journal of Educational Advancement 9(2)