June Gudeman

Tawny, Sound like you have some good ideas on keeping the positive momentum. I really believe one of the best ways to use your graduates to get recognition for your school is to share their success stories. Everyone loves a good story and stories can send a VERY powerful message about your school! June Gudeman

Tawny, I'd like to encourage you to think as a graduate. What would "benefit" you? Continuing education is a great example. Think beyond that. What, for example, would draw you to an alumni website? What would make you want to be involved in an alumni association? We tend to think of things from the perspective of what would benefit our institution. Our "relationship" with our alumni needs to be a mutually benefiting relationship. June Gudeman

Tawny, As you think about an alumni website for your school, consider what would draw your graduates. What things could you include that would provide that "buy-in"? You might consider components that alumni are looking for like a Job Board, an Alumni Directory (to connect with old classmates), or other helpful information they might be interested in - Career Services, Loan Info, Continuing Education. You may also want to consider some things that would, literally, force them to your site like Transcript Request Forms or Grad Surveys. June Gudeman

Tawny, Certainly looking for individuals who may be passionate about your alumni and willing to serve (as opposed to being arm-twisted) is a great idea. I might suggest actually targeting some graduates and staff members that you think might be good candidates. Frankly, people like to be asked. You communicating to them that you believe they would be a good fit, may encourage someone to agree to something they might never step up to do on their own. June Gudeman

Michael, I would challenge you to continue to brainstorm ideas that would benefit your graduates. June Gudeman

Michael, It sounds like you have a pretty clear picture of what ROI looks like for your association. Our graduates are our best form of advertising via word of mouth. The challenge is documenting that 'word of mouth' influence. Good luck! June Gudeman

Michael, What barriers might you anticipate being an issue? June Gudeman

Michael, You are certainly a unique educational setting, but I think you can create something that is specific to the graduates of the academy. June Gudeman

Michael, Remember our graduates are walking, breathing advertisements for our institution. Do you best to tap into that. June Gudeman

Michael, If you don't have the resources to put together and maintain a distinct alumni site, some institutions have a designated page off their main site for grads. This is a cost effective and simple way to begin. June Gudeman