June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Challenges to Setting Up an Alumni Association Website

Randy, It's good to know where your challenges are going to come from. Now, you can spend some time preparing to sell your ideas and preparing to answer the questions those individuals/departments may have. June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Advisory Board Membership

Hi Randy, Will you include any alumni on your advisory board? As you consider who to invite on your team, consider who would be passionate about your graduates. Try to choose people who have a vested interest in making connections with your grads, like career services for example, so they stick with it. June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Public Relations Opportunities

Casey, 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

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Your First Event

Casey, It sounds like you have some good ideas for getting the word out. As you plan your alumni event be sure to ask the questions - "Why would our graduates want to come to this event? What's in it for them?" Think like an alumni and then plan accordingly. Sometimes we may think something is a good idea, but we haven't thought about it from the grads perspective. Good luck! June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Measuring Alumni Association Results

Hi Casey - I don't think anyone would argue with the fact that continuing a relationship with your alumni will have a positive impact on your student placement. The difficulty is having a way to track that Return On Your Investment. Try to think through how you might actually be able to keep track of the impact graduates have on placement. June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Mission Statement Development

Casey, I like the idea of connecting the two mission statements. Just remember that the mission should be a statement of your purpose. June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Public Relations Opportunities

Amanda, Since you already are making these connections, possibly you can set up your alumni group or even your alumni website in a way that compliments this function? June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Mission Statement Development

Amanda, It sounds to me like you have a unique direction you want to go with your alumni association. As you write your mission statement, it should reflect that direction. June

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Barriers to setting up an Alumni Association

Shawnie, We faced some of these same obstacles when we started our program. One suggestion I would give you is to have your grads complete an alumni profile on your website, giving you all their updated personal information, which you can then enter into your database. You certainly can get the word out via email and social media, but you will be amazed at how "they find you"! If you provide a link off your school's main site, many will find you that way. I would not let the fact that you have out of date records keep you from… >>>

June Gudeman

Discussion Comment

Benefits to Offer Your Grads

Hi Shawnie, It sounds like you have some good ideas and direction for your website. If your grads are willing to allow their information to be posted on the site, it would be a good way for clients to find them. June