alumni

6 ways personalization can supercharge alumni engagement

Personalization is the backbone of modern marketing, and alumni engagement is no exception. Already, 80% of U.S. consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand that offers personalized experiences. But, in Cuseum’s November-December 2020 survey of over 150 alumni relations professionals, 77% believed that they need to offer more personalized engagement to their constituents.

That’s a big disconnect!

If you’re interested in getting the lowdown on alumni personalization, we’re here to help. Here, we’ll break down the what, the why, and the how of personalization – let’s dive in!

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Headed to the #CAMMP2023 Alumni Relations Conference? Here are 5 Fun Things to Do in Boulder!

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Headed to this year's Council of Alumni Marketing and Membership Professionals conference in Boulder, Colorado? Our blog post highlights the top five attractions that you can't miss. Discover Boulder's vibrant shopping scene, scenic hiking trails, enchanting teahouses, buzzing brewery tours, and unique dining experiences. Make the most of your visit to this charming mountain city!

Let's delve into this pressing issue.

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Nurturing Engaged Alumni in the Digital Era: 6 Essential Strategies for Success

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In a time characterized by online engagement and pervasive digital access to social and professional networks, how can alumni associations facilitate the transformation of students and recent graduates into engaged alumni? Here are 6 crucial tips to assist you and your organization in smoothly transitioning students into proactive, committed members of your alumni community.

Unpacking the Big Data Buzz: How Can We Leverage Data in Alumni Engagement?

With all the rumblings about “big data,” industry professionals understand the urgency to start making data-driven decisions, but may be unsure of the benefits, the potential challenges, and how to get started.

Here, we’ll break down the basics of data analytics, what technology you need to get started, top tips to become more data-driven in alumni relations, and the biggest challenges alumni relations professionals face when trying to leverage data. Let’s get into it!

Using Digital Membership “Back of Card Text” to Deepen Constituent Engagement

At increasing rates, associations and alumni organizations are launching Digital Membership Cards (also known as Digital Alumni Cards). Just what is a Digital Membership Card? Hosted in the mobile wallet, Digital Membership Cards are an easy way to provide digitally accessible member and alumni benefits. Already, leading institutions including University of Tennessee Alumni Association, University of Michigan Alumni Association, and Museums Association have begun issuing digital cards.

For organizations that traditionally issue physical membership cards, replacing paper or plastic cards with a low-lift mobile solution can provide enormous time and cost savings. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! For all colleges and universities, Digital Alumni Cards offer fresh value and facilitate deeper alumni engagement in myriad ways, starting with dynamic “back of card text.”

4 Important Alumni Relations Trends Every University Needs to Consider

In recent years, the models and structures that have historically guided alumni relations and alumni engagement have evolved significantly. In light of these changes, universities and alumni associations may be trying to understand what this new landscape looks like and seeking strategies to remain relevant. In order to keep up, alumni organizations need to recognize how conventional modes of engagement are shifting, anticipate changing constituent expectations, and determine how they fit into the new digital landscape. Looking to the present and future, here are four big trends in alumni relations:

Webinar Highlights: Alumni Hour: Succeeding with Events & Programs (Part 2)

We’re back for Part 2! Over the course of the past six months, universities and alumni associations of every size have faced significant disruptions to their operations, events, and engagement strategies. Traditionally, alumni organizations have relied on a busy calendar of in-person events - like homecoming, tailgates, class reunions, and local alumni chapter meetups - to keep alumni active. Many of these in-person events are now risky and untenable for the foreseeable future. In response, alumni associations have devoted fresh energy and resources towards producing engaging virtual programs and events, with incredible results.

Join Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), Michael Smullen (Executive Director, Alumni Relations @ New Jersey Institute of Technology), Leslie Smith (Executive Director of Alumni Engagement @ DePauw University), Natalie Ross (Senior Director of Alumni Events & Programs @ University of Maryland Alumni Association) & Kelly Beyrer (Assistant Director for Alumni & Advancement Events @ Iona College) for PART 2 of a webinar on all things virtual events. In Part 1, we discussed utilizing digital tools, developing high impact events, reaching new audiences, and key ways to measure success. Picking up where we left off, Part 2 will explore leveraging your network to produce virtual events, working with partners on and off campus, and the long-term outlook of virtual engagement.

View the full recording here.

Read below for the main highlights.

Webinar Highlights: Alumni Hour: Succeeding with Virtual Events & Programs

Over the course of the past six months, universities and alumni associations of every size have faced significant disruptions to their operations, events, and engagement strategy. Traditionally, alumni organizations have relied on a busy calendar of in-person events - like homecoming, tailgates, class reunions, and local alumni chapter meetups - to keep alumni active. Many of these in-person events are now risky and untenable for the foreseeable future. In response, alumni associations have devoted fresh energy and resources towards producing engaging virtual programs and events, with incredible results.

Join Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), Michael Smullen (Executive Director, Alumni Relations @ New Jersey Institute of Technology), Leslie Smith (Executive Director of Alumni Engagement @ Depauw University), Natalie Ross (Senior Director of Alumni Events & Programs @ University of Maryland Alumni Association) & Kelly Beyrer (Assistant Director for Alumni & Advancement Events @ Iona College) for a special webinar on all things virtual events. Over the hour, these experts will dive into the planning, strategy, and creative thinking that goes into producing successful virtual events and programs!

View the full recording here.

Read the highlights below.

Webinar Highlights: Alumni Engagement in the Era of Coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of alumni relations, sparking new questions and concerns, as well as opportunities for alumni associations. Since the escalation of Coronavirus, traditional methods for alumni engagement, such as class reunions, sporting events, tailgates, homecoming, in-person social events, alumni chapter meetups, and networking opportunities have been cancelled. In response, alumni associations are pivoting to digital and virtual strategies to keep alumni engaged and actively involved.

Join Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), Jennifer Chambers (Assistant Vice President, Lifelong Learning @ Duke Alumni), Veronica Dominguez (Associate Director of Alumni Engagement @ UTSA Alumni Association), & Serena Bettis (Coordinator of Alumni and Parent Relations @ Southwestern University Alumni) as they do a deep dive into shifting alumni engagement tactics. This webinar will explore many aspects of digital engagement, including virtual events, programs, and networking opportunities, as well as digital communications.

View the full recording here.

Here are the main takeaways:

7 Ways to Keep Your Alumni Members Engaged During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of alumni relations, prompting new questions and concerns for university alumni associations. With the onset and continued risks of COVID-19, traditional opportunities for alumni engagement, such as class reunions, March Madness, NCAA football, tailgates, homecoming, in-person social events, alumni chapter meetups, and networking opportunities have been cancelled, or remain in limbo.

Indeed, while many held out hope that fall NCAA football would be a comeback after March Madness was called off, the Big Ten cancelled fall 2020 football in early August, and traditional social events like tailgates and alumni chapter watch parties are being suspended.

Despite the hurdles, alumni engagement is critical for building a university’s reputation and brand, securing donations, and creating community. In response to new challenges and unforeseen circumstances, many alumni associations have adapted by doubling down on their digital engagement strategy, with incredible results.

Here, we will examine the continued importance of an active alumni association for both universities and alumni, along with seven exciting ideas to activate alumni engagement during COVID-19 and beyond.

How to Streamline Alumni Card Fulfillment with Digital Cards

Alumni associations can be some of the most important communities and networks for professionals, as well as vital sources of support for universities. There are a variety of benefits that come along with being a member of an alumni organization. For alumni, the networking, social, and career development opportunities can be unparalleled benefits. For colleges and universities, alumni engagement helps build the university brand, secure financial support, and recruit future students.

Many alumni organizations have traditionally issued an alumni card or membership card to their members, which has been both symbolic and a means of accessing alumni events and benefits. However, with the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, the traditional process of printing and distributing physical membership cards has been severely disrupted.

With the fulfillment process backlogged and many alumni associations simultaneously trying to ramp up their digital engagement, Digital Membership Cards can be a timely way to ensure alumni receive their cards and stay informed at the same time. Additionally, Digital Membership can save countless hours in the day for staff, thousands of dollars a year, and allow you to make the most of your limited resources.

Check out how Digital Membership can streamline your card processes:

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How Colleges and Universities Turn to Digital to Enhance Alumni Engagement

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More than ever before, ensuring alumni engagement and career success are top priorities for colleges and universities. Indeed, as higher education enrollments continue to fall and universities feel heightened pressure to bring in more revenue, active alumni networks not only help institutions of higher education cultivate a compelling brand, but also serve as a vital source of financial support for colleges. 

 According to the latest findings by Salesforce, “the advancement office is fundamental to institutional growth and development” at universities. Additionally, advancement and development staff rely heavily on the generosity and giving of alumni to achieve their fundraising goals and keep their institutions vibrant and afloat. 

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