About half of all states allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees for some select programs. Florida was one of the first, and now all of the community colleges in the state offer four-year degrees for certain programs. When staff at Maricopa Community College in Arizona were looking for some advice on how to engage students and graduates of their four-year programs, they turned to CASE. 

Meg Natter, CASE’s Director, Community Colleges and Foundations, asked two veteran members from Florida to help. “The CASE network always comes through,” she says. Geraldine Gallagher, Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Executive Director, FSW Foundation at Florida SouthWestern State College and Jesse Turtle, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation at St. Petersburg College met with Natter and the Maricopa team, and Natter added, “They both have deep experience in this area, and their advice was so helpful that I wondered if other members might want to hear from them.”

In this interview, Turtle and Gallagher share some of their best tips for engaging alumni and graduates of four-year programs.  

As advancement professionals, what do you like about having four-year programs at your colleges?

Turtle: Having four-year programs at St. Petersburg College elevates the college’s profile and strengthens our relationships with students. It allows us to engage with them over a longer academic journey, building stronger connections and a more engaged alumni base. 

Gallagher: FSW has offered bachelor’s degrees for 20 years. Alumni connect in multiple ways—from four years in our collegiate high schools through bachelor’s degrees and industry certifications. Their extended time on campus and involvement with FSW professors and their classmates deepens their bond and loyalty.

Four-year programs foster college relationships and traditions that create connections that can span generations. Alumni who experience the four-year journey become even more ardent ambassadors, donors, and advocates. We are now teaching their children and grandchildren.  

Higher education is no longer a linear experience, and students return to college throughout their career path, giving us the opportunity to engage for years.

Do you approach those students and alumni, in terms of engagement, differently than groups that have associate’s degrees and certificates?

Turtle: Yes and no. First of all, they are all part of the Titan Network. For our AA general students, it's more about keeping them connected with SPC and reminding them of where they started. With our B.A. students our approach is through affinity engagement and giving. These students have more of a sense of pride in their program, such as nursing, business, or education. So, we emphasize that association.

Gallagher: Our Florida SouthWestern State College students and alumni, regardless of their stage in the academic journey, are part of the college family. Philanthropic engagement resonates when it is based on where they are in their lives, families, and careers. 

Alumni reach back to help support students like themselves—helping them to overcome challenges, earn degrees, and build a career that matters.

Do affinity groups come into play in your engagement strategies, such as year of graduation and field of study?

Turtle: Absolutely. Affinity groups are essential for fostering meaningful alumni engagement. We do not use graduation year as most of our students take multiple years to get their degree, but we do use academic programs, and even extracurricular involvement to create micro-communities. These groups help alumni stay connected and give us a way to personalize outreach, whether it’s through events, newsletters, or giving campaigns.

Gallagher: People connect with people. Shared experiences create long-term bonds for students in specific programs, including honors, student government, nursing, allied health, theater, and athletic teams, for example. They remain in touch with their professors and each other.

Do the graduates of four-year programs tend to stay in your communities, and if so, how do you take advantage of that?

Turtle: Almost all of our B.A. graduates are local, which is a huge benefit. We leverage that by involving them in community-based initiatives, inviting them to serve on boards, and encouraging them to mentor current students. Their presence strengthens our college’s visibility and impact in the region.

Gallagher: A recent economic impact study revealed that 9 in 10 of our alumni remain in the Southwest Florida community. 

They may have started as a collegiate high school freshman or a dual-enrolled student or joined us to complete a bachelor’s degree. Alumni attend basketball games and performances. They provide internships and hire graduates. They serve on advisory committees and the foundation board. They involve their companies in philanthropy. They donate to support students, advocate with legislators, and invite us to the table for important conversations. 

Several local employers hire hundreds of our graduates each year. The health care systems are a good example. Alumni leaders and team members of these organizations help direct philanthropy and partnerships.

What advice/tips do you have for colleagues at other colleges that are beginning to offer four-year programs?

Turtle: Start by aligning your advancement strategy with the academic mission. Build strong relationships with faculty and student services early on. Invest in storytelling—highlight the success of your B.A./B.S. students and alumni. And don’t underestimate the power of local partnerships; they can be key to sustaining and growing your programs. We host several events at local employers who have a critical mass of our alumni working at their institutions and it is wonderful for them to engage with one another.  

Gallagher: Authenticity, relationships, and consistent communication are vital. We treasure their time with us and don’t take for granted the continuing connection, especially as families and careers take priority. Building a culture of gratitude on campus plants the seeds of philanthropy. This includes handwritten thank-you cards and short cell-phone videos for scholarship donors, along with donor gatherings.

Alumni share their challenges and successes to demonstrate the power of charitable giving. It is important for students to understand that person made a decision to invest in their future—and made a contribution to fund their scholarship or a program.

Donors know that their dollars made a remarkable difference.