This session will explore what students and recent alumni are experiencing in our institutions and life about college. We will ground our conference with a basic student development and life-stage framework, and then connect how our advancement work helps to cement our constituents’ affinity to our institutions. The session will also explore the unique traits of the current generation and explore what our recent alumni need from our institutions.

Your future alumni leaders are already on campus—and they’re eager to be engaged. This session explores how to build or strengthen a student advancement program that can transform students into lifelong volunteers and donors. Through real‑world examples and campus case studies, we’ll discuss how, and share tips and trips to educate, inspire, and empower students to take ownership of philanthropy and institutional pride as the next generation of institutional champions.

This session explores strategies for creating engagement pathways that guide alumni from their first gift through their first decade of giving. Learn how to leverage student crowdfunding initiatives and affinity-based programming to identify giving interests early, build lasting volunteer pipelines, and adapt to generational preferences in communication and motivation.

The tassel turns, but the connection endures. This session shares how UT Knoxville creates senior-year experiences that become cherished traditions and spark ongoing alumni involvement. Learn how unique events and personalized outreach create meaningful experiences that inspire graduates to stay connected and committed to their alma mater.