cicala-fostering student-alumni connections-li
TRANSCRIPT
FOSTERING STUDENT-ALUMNI CONNECTIONS & EXPANDING PROSPECT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATIONS
Mary Ann Cicala, Alumni Director
Austin Community College
Objectives
Understand the ingredients of a successful partnership
Understand the components of a cross department engagement strategy
Leave with ideas to implement in your own shop
Plan(t) the Seeds for the Future
Who Benefits
Alumni Relations professionals seeking ideas for volunteer opportunities and impactful events
Annual Fund and Major Gift professionals seeking strategies to increase new alumni giving
Career Service and Advising professionals seeking program ideas for career development and strategies for increasing student participation
Tools you will leave with
Conceptualize the roles and partnerships each department plays in fundraising
Understand the important correlation between professional interactions with students and first impressions of existing alumni
At least one strategy on developing alumni engagement with current students
Challenges Identified
Shared Interests and Goals
Positive Alumni
Behaviors
Positive Alumni Role Models
Positive Student
Experience
Realistic Expectations
Build Timeline 12 months out Not sustainable for any partner
to do everything: Focus on key strengths and benefits for each office
Must invest a lot of time up front
Steps to New York Connection
People Clear Vision/Mission Statement Timeline Event
People
Start with quality core group and grow
Diverse Spheres of Influence Donor Engagement Strategy
Steps to New York Connection
People Clear Vision/Mission Statement
Mission Statement
The purpose of the New York Connection is to assist undergraduate students with their career planning by: Gathering information regarding professional life in New York
City Exploring interests, values, and skills and connecting them to
the workforce Hearing real-life accounts of "life at work" Exposing students to a variety of employers in the
communication and arts fields Learning about the career paths and responsibilities of Emerson
College alumni Allowing for formal and informal conversations and networking
between students and alumni
Steps to New York Connection
People Clear Vision/Mission Statement Timeline
Timeline
Month/Day Task
12 MonthsMarch
Confirm the Date with major stakeholders (Alumni Relations/Career Services)
9 Months July/August
Send out Save the date to Academic Departments, Student Life, Deans, and NY Alumni Chapter Leader(s)
7 Months September
Prospect Review—Brainstorm and Prioritize Potential Site Hosts: Major Gift Officers, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Alumni, and Annual Giving Staff
6 Months October
Confirm Closing Reception Site
3 MonthsJanuary
Coordinate and Secure Site VisitsIdentify Staff/Faculty Volunteers
Timeline continued
Month/Day Task
1 Month OutFebruary
Open Registration for Students(Marketing: Emails, Posters, Table Tents, Dept. Flyers, & Class Announcements)
1 Week Before Host Mandatory Prep Sessions for Student Participants
2 Days Before Email Student Guides• Emergency Contact Information• Schedule for Career Track• Information on Site Hosts and
Bios
1 Day Before Reminder email from Staff/Faculty Track Captain with his/her emergency contact information
1 Business Day After Link to Survey
1 Week After Post Mortem with Key Staff/Faculty
Steps to New York Connection
People Clear Vision/Mission Statement Timeline Event
Event: Agenda
Event: Site Visits
Closing Event and Partnership with Local City Chapter
Partnership with Local City Chapter Central Location Great Opportunity to Partner with
Foundation & Corporate Relations Empower Chapter to Own This
Event
Event: Closing Reception
Communications
Students: Email, Class Announcements, mandatory prep session, briefing w/ agenda and site description/host bios, 2 reminder emails, survey
Faculty/Staff Captains: Email, Group Meeting, Introduction to site host, briefings, survey, thank you
Site Hosts: Intro/Meeting, Email with Logistics, Confirmation with attendees list (security), thank you email, thank you gift, follow up with PM
survey
thank you
Student Briefing
Cultivation & Stewardship
Student survey before email include feedback
Personalized letters and emails Email highlights “favorite moments” collected in
student feedback Handwritten note thank you with gift (usually a
framed photo with students or office gift basket) Feature in Expression Magazine
Cultivation & Stewardship
Results
Site Hosts—to annual fund donors/participation 17 of 22 (88%) Made their first gifts in FY13
Major Gift Donors Led to Naming Opportunity in LA Center
Corporate Foundation engagement Viacom Scholarship Program for students who
demonstrate a commitment to enhancing & promoting diversity
Evaluate Post Mortem, Make Improvements
