“building bridges: young alumni & current students”

“Building Bridges:Building Bridges: Young Alumni & Current Students”

JULIE BIALKOWSKIAssociate Director of Alumni Relations, The University of Scranton

MONIQUE GARDNERDi f Al i R l i L l U i i N O lDirector of Alumni Relations, Loyola University New Orleans

COLLEEN MCGINNAssistant Director of Alumni Relations, Fairfield University

ERIN MOONEYERIN MOONEY

Assistant Director of the Holy Cross Fund, The College of the Holy Cross

University of Scranton

Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania

4,000 undergraduate students

5,000 young alumni (5-years out)

42,000 alumni

Loyola UniversityLoyola University

New Orleans

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

2,900 undergraduate students


45,000 alumni

Fairfield University

Location: Fairfield, Connecticut

3,300 undergraduate students3,300 undergraduate students


41,000 alumni

The College of the Holy Cross

Location: Worcester, Massachusetts

2,900 undergraduate students2,900 undergraduate students


33,300 alumni

FACT OR FICTION?FACT OR FICTION?

It is easier to cultivate engaged STUDENTS than to try and develop ALUMNI relationships once they have already graduated.

FACT.

Building connections to recent graduates can and will lead to a lifetime of engagement.

FACTFACT.

Today’s TopicsStudent Programs – Events & Initiatives

Student-Alumni Interaction

Young Alumni Programs – Events & InitiativesYoung Alumni Programs – Events & Initiatives

Young Alumni – Student Fundraising Initiatives

Student ProgramsStudent Programs

Events & Initiatives

The University of Scrantony

The President’s Alumni Liaisons

•Nominated by Faculty, application and interview processNominated by Faculty, application and interview process

•Currently 28 juniors and seniors serving in this role

•Participate in quarterly meetings of the Alumni Board, serve on board committees which meet monthly

•Attend regional an on-campus alumni events, serve as speakers, hosts, etc.

•Recruit and provide leadership to their class committee as undergraduates and alumni


Student Alumni Association

•“The Student Alumni Association is a group of student leaders who help the Fairfield University student body connect with one of ourThe Student Alumni Association is a group of student leaders who help the Fairfield University student body connect with one of our

campus’s greatest resources, the alumni, through the creation of networking and community service events. In short, we bridge the gap.”

– Meg Hallissy ‘10, most recent SAA President. Student-subsidiary group of the Alumni Association

•Serve as liaisons between the current student body and the alumniServe as liaisons between the current student body and the alumni

•Plan and promote on-campus events to “bridge the gap” between students and alumni – one program per class per year

•Staff Alumni Association and Office of Alumni Relations events including Reunion Weekend

•5-time CASE:ASAP District 1 Award Recipients & 2010 CASE Communication Award Recipient5 t e C S S st ct a d ec p e ts & C S Co u cat o a d ec p e t

•Comprised of approximately 65 students of all class years (freshmen – sophomores) including an Executive Committee of 4 and 5

Committee Chairs

Student Alumni InteractionStudent-Alumni Interaction

Programs & Initiatives

Loyola University New Orleansy y

“DINEwOrleans”

•Co-programming with the Office of Career Development

•A Series of informational dinners in the city of New Orleans that strives to provide networking opportunities for Loyola alumni and seniors

•Targets students coming from the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences with support from the Dean of the College

•Purpose:

1. Demonstrate marketability of a Loyola University New Orleans Liberal Arts Education

2. Educate students on a wide range of career options

3. Encourage students to become a part of the recovery and revitalization of New Orleans

“ ”“DINEwOrleans”


“Major Decisions”

•Co-planned with Career Planning Center – began in 2008 with 11 alumni and 60 students

•Held in October of each year – right around the time sophomores must declare a major & aimed at helping sophomore students make

that “major decision” regarding their course track

•Invite alumni of all class years back to campus who can speak about what it was like to be a student in that major; Targeted at alumni

who are not necessarily working in a career related to their major – to show students options!

•Seated at tables by undergraduate major - Each student was given a directory of alumni in attendance with current business info and

major

•2010: 33 alumni from 1969-2009 and over 150 students of all classes

•CASE:ASAP District 1 2009 Outstanding Program Award Recipient

“Major Decisions”j


“Backpack to Briefcase”

•Co-planned with Career Planning Center – began in 2009 with 8 alumni and approx 45 seniors

•Targeted at Seniors – held after Spring Break when “reality sets in”

•H ld i kt il h t tti ll i l t ti d f t ki•Held in a cocktail hour type setting – allowing a panel presentation and for networking

•Alumni from the Classes of 2000-2009 were targeted to participate to give “young alumni perspective” – asked for representation from

all majors

•One alumnus who returned secured their job through an interview they received after 2009’s event!•One alumnus who returned secured their job through an interview they received after 2009 s event!

•First two years of this event have led to 3 jobs and numerous interviews and resume exchanges

•Panel presentation includes: introductions, brief synopsis of life after college, and open Q&A

•2010: 16 alumni and nearly 70 seniors2010: 16 alumni and nearly 70 seniors

•CASE: ASAP District 1 2010 Outstanding Program Award Recipient

“Backpack to Briefcase”

Speed Networking

Loyola University New Orleans

•C i ith Offi f C D l t•Co-programming with Office of Career Development•Program targets College of Business & College of Social Sciences on separate evenings•Unique opportunity for juniors and seniors to learn more about/network with companies and young alumni from New Orleans

•A small reception follows the networking component which allows follow-up networking and additional introductions

Fairfield UniversityFairfield University•Co-planned by SAA & Career Planning•Aimed at Junior Class to help polish networking skills•Held in spring after Spring Break•Alumni participants were young alumni (2000 2009)•Alumni participants were young alumni (2000-2009)•Began in 2010: 8 alumni and 25-30 students•One Job offer!


“Senior Reflection Luncheon”

•Invite one young alumnus/a back to campus to address the senior class over lunch

•Held during senior week, a few days before graduation

•All alumni members of the Alumni Board are invited – regardless of age

•Strong emphasis on young alumni returningStrong emphasis on young alumni returning

•Alumni in attendance are placed at tables with the graduating seniors to interact over lunch


“Senior Reception”

•A networking event held towards the end of second semester each year

•For all members of the graduating class

•Alumni are invited back to help welcome the class into the ranks of alumni

•Al i k d t t lk i f ll b t lif ft H l C d th i•Alumni are asked to talk informally about life after Holy Cross and their careers


“Student Reps”

•The Holy Cross Alumni Association has two student reps on their on their Board of Directors

•Previously the Board had NO student representation

•Each year, one junior and one senior sit on the Board and attend meetings

Young Alumni ProgramsYoung Alumni Programs

Events & Initiatives

The University of Scranton

President’s Young Alumni Retreat

•Two-day retreat

•During the summer – held at Conference and Retreat Center

•Select group of young alumni leaders are invited to participate

•Focus on:

•Jesuit Ideals

•Personal & Spiritual Growth

•Brainstorming

•Discernment

The University of Scranton

Shamrockin’ Eve

•Homecoming for alumni of the past 5 years and current seniors

•Held on the eve of the St. Patrick’s Day parade – a natural homecoming for alumni!

•Joint committee of 20 alumni and 30 students

•Program is in its 2nd year

•Attended by over 800 alumni/guests each year

“Shamrockin’ Eve”

Loyola University, New Orleansy y,

“Wolves on the Prowl”

National Day of Community Service

•Planned by a committee lead by our Associate Director of Alumni Relations and comprised of students, alumni, faculty, and staff

•Always on the first Saturday in November

•Five or six sites are chosen locally – over 360 volunteers participate

•Students and alumni work side-by-side to paint, garden, and clean

•Event starts on Loyola’s “Peace Quad” – University Ministry provides a blessing before volunteers board busses to transport them to

different sites. A picnic by the river follows.

•In 2010, 12 regional chapters also participated in regional gatherings of “Wolves on the Prowl”

“Wolves on the Prowl”

National Day of Community Service

Loyola University, New Orleansy y,

“Senior Crawfish Boil”

•1st Event of Alumni Weekend – held during Commencement Weekend

•Welcome graduating seniors into the Alumni Association

•Graduating seniors and their families are invited to a Crawfish Boil on the Friday before Commencement

•Over 800 event attendees

•Young Alumni Pack set-up nearby to welcome, distribute information about the organization, and invite them to summer events

•Representatives from the Annual Fund hand out t-shirts to any senior who participates in the Senior Class Gift

“ ”“Crawfish Boil”

Loyola University New Orleansy y

Young Alumni Pack

•Participate in “Wolves on the Prowl” (National Service Day) & other community service events

•Students, faculty, staff, alumni (including those in regional chapters) all participate

•1st Saturday in November

•Saturday Vigil Mass for the Young Alumni Pack on Feast Day of St Ignatius with a Happy St Iggy Feast Day Party toSaturday Vigil Mass for the Young Alumni Pack on Feast Day of St. Ignatius with a Happy St. Iggy Feast Day Party to

follow

•Skill Building Events to educate young alumni: examples – real estate, wine tasting, etc.


“Move-In Day”

•Holy Cross Tradition: Freshmen do not move in their belongings!!

•Instead, swarms of RA’s, Orientation Leaders, and other peer leaders descend on each car in front of the

residence halls to unload and bring everything to the rooms

•Alumni Association teamed up with Student Affairs and invited local alumni back to help move-in theAlumni Association teamed up with Student Affairs and invited local alumni back to help move-in the

freshman class


“Move-In Day”

Fairfield UniversityFairfield University

“Your Guide to Going S.T.A.G.”: Sticking Together After Graduation

•SAA decided to create a “resource guide” – complete with everything they felt their peers should know about the Alumni Office, Alumni

Association, and staying connected to Fairfield

•The STAG Guide was completed and sent to all undergraduates in the Class of 2009

•Served as a “welcome package” from the Alumni Association – complete with an accompanying letter from Association President, a year-

long coupon to the Bookstore, car decal, pen, etc.

•Chapters ranged from graduate school and the Online Community to getting involved with Regional Chapters, “paying it forward” to

students, keeping “Stag Pride Alive” by supporting athletics, and important numbers, etc.

•CASE:ASAP District 1 2010 Outstanding Program Recipient & 2010 CASE Communication Award Honorable Mention

Annual Metropolitan Club Reception

•Held the 2nd week of March since 2006 at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan

•Generously hosted by University Trustee and his son (also an alumnus)

•Began as a cocktail reception with University President as the keynote speaker

•Morphed into a networking reception complete with guest speakers/programming components: recruiter/career consultant, speed networking,

Manhattan Chapter Career Networking Chair, etc.

•Features key University officials – i.e., President, VP of Academic Affairs, VP of Advancement, etc.

•Invitation is open to all alumni living and/or working in Manhattan – 1990-most recent graduating class

•Alumni receive a directory containing business information and email addresses for all in attendance to further networking component

•Consistent “sell-out” with 150+ alumni and a waiting list

Metropolitan Club Reception

Student & Young Alumni FundraisingStudent & Young Alumni Fundraising

Programs & Initiatives


Young Alumni Breakfasts

•President Fr. McFarland, has breakfast or lunch with a small group of the 2 most recently graduated classes in cities he is visiting while

on the road

•Typically 1 in New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C. each year

•Group consists of approximately 8-10 young grads and Father makes it a point to connect with each about their lives and tells news

from campus

•At the end of each meal, he makes a soft pitch for support of the Holy Cross Fund and encourages them to ask their friends for

support as well

•Covered by NPR, Inside Higher Ed, and the Chronicle of Higher Education

// / / / / / / /http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/06/11/mm-colleges-hitting-up-alums-early/

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/11/12/cross

http://chronicle.com/article/5-Colleges-That-Inspire-Alu/64307/


Young Alumni Breakfasts


Participation Challenges

•Holy Cross places much emphasis on giving percentage – size isn’t as important as gift itself

•A gift of any size makes a grad a donor – resonates well with young alumni!

•Challenges 3 out of the past 4 years – put forth by generous alumni

•Challenge is typically set to get a certain giving percentage (51% in FY07, 55% in FY08, 53% in FY10, etc.) and

the challenger gives a predetermined amount of money – ($500,000 each challenge so far)

•Helps make a point that gifts of any size are what’s important – and shows that $5 gifts can have a bigger impact

than what they make thinkthan what they make think


Participation Challenges


Class Agent Competitions

•Volunteer Structure consists of 2-3 Class Chairs for each class – then 15-30 Class Agents

•Agents are responsible for a much smaller group of classmates than chairs – but play an important role in reaching out

to their list for support of Holy Cross!

•In May & June, a competition is set up amongst each class’ agents to compete for the highest giving percentage of

their list

•With weekly updates, and scoreboards, they all become engaged in the process


“Power of One”

•The Holy Cross Magazine started a feature called the “Power of One”

•Highlights one young alumni donor in a Q&A type format

•Donors typically aren’t giving huge amounts of money

•Graduates with “normal” jobs (i.e., not all in finance or law) are selected

•Aimed to show that one person can make a difference at Holy Cross


“Power of One”Power of One


Regional Phonathons

•Holy Cross has 10 cell phones in our office that are taken on the road

•Cities include: Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

•Use the cell phones to help engage young alumni by asking us to help by making fundraising calls

Questions?Questions?

Discussion

Contact InformationJULIE BIALKOWSKIJULIE BIALKOWSKI

Associate Director of Alumni Relations, University of [email protected]

MONIQUE GARDNERMONIQUE GARDNER

Director of Alumni Relations, Loyola University at New [email protected]

COLLEEN MCGINNAssistant Director of Alumni Relations, Fairfield University

[email protected]

ERIN MOONEY

Assistant Director of the Holy Cross Fund, College of the Holy [email protected]

Thank you!