Meet your faculty and the other attendees during an energetic and interactive opening session! You will start your strategic plan by understanding WHY you should engage students and recent alumni as part of your program. Lastly, we will begin to define the current generation of students and recent alumni to better understand their needs.

Data transferers, messaging concerns, audience ownership, countless celebrations, and over 70 academic and departmental recognition ceremonies sound like your institution? Learn how to leverage these priorities to create effective cross-campus partnerships with the shared goal of collaborating and celebrating the student to alumni transition. Over the last 5 years, we have moved from a siloed approach to commencement to a holistic matrix of events, engagements, and communications to over 8,000 graduating students in the spring. This presentation will demonstrate the overlapping priorities and how CU Boulder utilizes the entire community’s strengths to deliver a clear and concise message: once a Buff, you’re a Forever Buff.

Are you struggling to find ways to connect with your students? Generational changes, the post covid world, many factors have created a need for a shift in how we approach our student leaders. Often times we try to reinvent the wheel, when perhaps we just need to rethink the way we approach the wheel. This session will talk about hits, misses and everything in between. We’ll take some time during this session for a facilitated discussion on what engagement approaches we find are connecting with our student leaders as well.

Unlock your potential through the transformative power of improvisation. Amplify adaptability, refine listening skills, and cultivate collaboration in this captivating session. Be bold and embrace courage as you immerse yourself in this fun and interactive experience, equipping you with the tools to enrich both your professional and personal life.

Learn what is meant by the phrase “the long game” and why student and recent alumni engagement is a critical investment for the sustainability and longevity of any institution. Explore how generational culture impacts engagement strategy and begin to reimagine frameworks that reflect Gen Z values.

Join conference faculty and your colleagues to network and unwind after Day 1. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drink tickets will be provided. Don't forget your business cards!