Institute in Alumni Relations 

All times are EST

 

Week 1:  Alumni Engagement  

Tuesday, September 15

12:30-1:00 PM
Welcome & Setting the Stage
This session will provide an overview of the institute experience and expectations as well as introduce faculty leaders and fellow participants.

1:00-2:00 PM
Alumni Engagement Fundamentals
Numerous studies prove that those who are engaged meaningfully are the most likely to give and get involved more deeply than others. This session will review core concepts of alumni engagement, strategies and frameworks for building a strong program, and techniques for engaging future and current alumni. Explore tools for developing attractive, effective mutually beneficial engagement programs that advance institutional and alumni interest. Participants also will share what they see the field needs to keep, start, and stop doing to meet today’s challenges and opportunities.

2:00-2:30 PM
Stretch Break

2:30-3:30 PM
Elective Sessions (choose one):

• Geographic Alumni Engagement
  For many institutions, alumni do not stay local to their alma mater. When considering emerging trends and best practices, there are many ways that institutions can engage with their geographically distant alumni. During this presentation, we will share best practices in working with regional clubs, faculty, new technology, and other engagement opportunities to still connect in a meaningful way with this critical alumni base.
• Affinity and Identity Engagement
  It is increasingly important to create affinity and identity based programming for alumni to engage with others in their respective communities and facilitate interactions for professional, cultural, and social development. These communities include academic major, career, geographic, club, sport, race/ethnicity, identity, and others. No matter the affiliation, it is critical to inclusive and integrate opportunities and resources for all alumni. We will have open and honest dialogue about how to create a welcoming and equitable space.

3:30-3:45 PM
Stretch Break

3:45-4:45 PM
Advisee Group Meeting 1 
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in small group discussion with fellow attendees to maximize their learning throughout the institute. These meetings are facilitated by a faculty leader and are designed to help attendees more deeply explore concepts covered each week.
 

Week 2: Metrics & Volunteerism

Tuesday, September 29

12:30-1:00 PM
Week 1 Debrief & Interactive Exercise

1:00-2:00 PM
Introduction to Metrics and Outcomes
Data is at the heart of many decisions we need to make in Alumni Relations.  Whether qualitative or quantitative, anecdotal or scientific, data should be the driving force behind the analysis of effective alumni engagement.  Data-informed strategies and tactics can lead to the outcomes you desire for your campus.  During this session, we will discuss the importance of data and how to best leverage the information you have at your disposal to improve alumni engagement.

2:00-2:30 PM
Stretch Break

2:30-3:30 PM
Elective Sessions (choose one):

• A Deeper Dive on Metrics and Outcomes
  You likely understand that data is essential to alumni relations work, but what comes next? This session will further explore how data and metrics can be used to inform strategy, focusing on emerging best practices for Engagement scoring models, useful tools and resources, and other helpful tactics. Learn how you can help create a culture of data-driven decision making that leads to greater impact for your alumni, and solidifies alumni engagement work as indispensable to successful advancement outcomes.
• Volunteer and Board Management
  Volunteers are a treasure and require dedicated time and resources from our institutions. They play an essential role in strengthening our inspiration and it is our job to continually focus that work toward our mission. How do we best cultivate and maintain these important relationships?

3:30-3:45 PM
Stretch Break

3:45-4:45 PM
Advisee Group Meeting 2

 

Week 3:  Alumni Events 

Tuesday, October 13

12:30-1:00 PM
Week 3 Debrief & Interactive Exercise

1:00-2:00 PM
Event Strategy and Return on Investment
No matter the evolution of your alumni relations program, the size of your institution or the size of your alumni relations team, events are likely going to be part of the way you engage alumni. Therefore, it Is vitally important for you to be thoughtful about the purpose of your event, the intended outcomes, the data that will be collected and the environment that will be created as you advance relationships with your attendees. In this session, we will examine the elements of these conversations, while also looking at return on investment and the advent of virtual events as part of our future engagement.

2:00-2:30 PM
Stretch Break

2:30-3:30 PM
Elective Sessions (choose one):

• Campus Based Programming: Reunions, Homecomings, Alumni College
  Let’s face it, in-person programming is a core strategy for engaging alumni at each of our campuses.  Homecoming, class reunions and events coordinated by academic colleges still draw many alumni back to campus each year.  During this session, we will discuss the most effective ways to leverage campus-based programming, maximize traditions while exploring new opportunities, and transform campus nostalgia into increased affinity amongst your alumni.
• Working with Campus Partners in Admissions, Student Affairs, Athletics
  The partners you have in pursuit of advancing the university are integral to your success. Campus Partners should be viewed as an extension of your strategy and engagement. From forming introductions to accomplishing big goals - this session will share a holistic approach to campus partnerships as a means to do your best work.

3:30-3:45 PM
Stretch Break

3:45-4:45 PM
Advisee Group Meeting 3

 

Week 4: Career and Leadership  

Tuesday, October 20

12:30-1:00 PM
Week 3 Debrief/Interactive Exercise

1:00-2:00 PM
Leadership Advice for the New Alumni Relations Professional
You can be a leader in your organization no matter your role. Together, we will explore how to develop your leadership style and share best practices for leading from where you. Participants will be asked to shape the conversation so bring your questions, concerns, and ideas to explore interactively.

2:00-2:15 PM
Stretch Break

2:15-3:15 PM
Elective Sessions (choose one):

• Career Services and Lifelong Learning
  Why do students choose to attend our institutions?  To learn and to build their careers (not necessarily in that order).  This presentation will discuss programs that engage students, new graduates and older alumnae/alumni throughout their lives in the pursuit of career growth and lifelong learning, while deepening engagement with those graduates that we entrust to become advisors, mentors and speakers.
• Engaging Different Generations and Life Stages
  The relationship that students and alumni have with their alma mater is dynamic and nothing affects that relationship more than their life stage and current lived experience. During this presentation, we will share themes on the experiences of students and alumni of different generations; their preferences for communication and engagement; and innovative ways that you can connect with students and alumni from different eras.

3:15-3:30 PM
Stretch Break

3:30-4:30 PM
Thoughts from the Field: Alumni Relations Leadership Panel
Participate in this moderated conversation with leaders in Alumni Relations and former CASE Institute in Alumni Relations faculty as they share their thoughts on the future of alumni relations, advice for new professionals, and their thoughts on what it means to be a leader during turbulent times. Opportunities for Q&A will be provided so please bring your questions

4:30-5:30 PM
Final Individual Advisee Meetings
All Faculty