It is that exciting time of year for many schools and universities when you will be welcoming a new generation of alums! Yes, commencement should live up to its name and be the beginning of a lifelong relationship for the newest graduates with your school. As new graduates are eager and excited to face the next stage of life whether pursuing a career or the next level of education, your alumni relations effort should be there to support them and to engage them.
Why start so soon? Young alums may not have much money however recent graduates are uniquely qualified to recruit the next generation of students with their knowledge of what school is like today. Young alums are also eager to build connections within their new community so they are reaching out and are perceived as representative of your school. It is best to make them well-informed and intentional ambassadors. On the other hand, alumni relations can be singularly effective for your alums as they welcome and, perhaps, need career support and networking opportunities. Providing meaningful assistance at this early opportunity will strengthen the lifelong bond for your alums to the institution in a way that is meaningful for the future.
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Graduation and Commencement
How can the alumni relations team can help make graduation – the transition from student to alum – the beginning of a fulfilling lifelong engagement relationship of benefit to the alums and to the school? If you have been working with students already, that’s great! If not, now is the time to start. Of course, you need to make sure the new graduates are aware of what being an alum can mean, that there are resources and also responsibilities. Consider adding to the fun of commencement by giving a reception for the graduating class (and their families!) and handing out information that describes all the advantages of continuing to be an active participant in the community as an alum. Or give a gift that comes with alumni engagement information. Another option is to demonstrate the value of engagement by providing a mentor or having students join the networking platform as part of the graduation activities.
As you make plans to celebrate, remember that each class engages with the institution in a different way whether because of new technology or current events. The engagement at commencement can be designed to address the interests of your newest “generation” of alums. It might be a traditional program, a new twist on a tradition or something entirely new. Whether following a proven tradition or creating an innovative approach, it is key to start building the alumni relationship with each generation while they are still on campus – appreciative, engaged, and contactable.
Does your school already have a special way of welcoming their newest alums? Or are you looking to establish a new approach? Please share it
Best wishes to you and your new generation of alums!
Charging an alumni fee can discourage people from engaging in alumni programs however the alumni office needs to be funded somehow. Feel free to email directly and I can talk with you about other ways to generate funds if necessary.
We are a two year state college. The Alumni Office provides snacks and water while the graduates wait to line up. Captive audience, so I started giving them a form to fill out with their updated information, are they transferring, working etc.
I then spend the summer putting the new data into our system. We are also have our alumni board president welcome the graduates during the official ceremony after their degrees are conferred, and as they come off the stage, I had them a small gift with information about the alumni association. It has worked well.
Getting involved with the current students has been a bit of an issue, I can’t seem to be able to attend orientations or student life events. But I am working on this.
Sounds like a great system that is well-designed for the graduating students. Sounds like you are anticipating the next level of technology when you won’t need to do all that inputting. Happy to discuss opportunities for engaging students earlier. It can be any time during the two years even for a study break.
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Hi Alison,
Our two-year college is looking at ways to revitalize our Alumni Association as well. Do you charge an alumni fee?
Charging an alumni fee can discourage people from engaging in alumni programs however the alumni office needs to be funded somehow. Feel free to email directly and I can talk with you about other ways to generate funds if necessary.
We are a two year state college. The Alumni Office provides snacks and water while the graduates wait to line up. Captive audience, so I started giving them a form to fill out with their updated information, are they transferring, working etc.
I then spend the summer putting the new data into our system. We are also have our alumni board president welcome the graduates during the official ceremony after their degrees are conferred, and as they come off the stage, I had them a small gift with information about the alumni association. It has worked well.
Getting involved with the current students has been a bit of an issue, I can’t seem to be able to attend orientations or student life events. But I am working on this.
Sounds like a great system that is well-designed for the graduating students. Sounds like you are anticipating the next level of technology when you won’t need to do all that inputting. Happy to discuss opportunities for engaging students earlier. It can be any time during the two years even for a study break.