Download - Meaningful Alumni Engagement - Volunteers
Meaningful Alumni Engagement -Without Asking for a Dime
Learn how to build a program utilizing alumni volunteers as part of your recruitment initiative
MACRAO Conference November 10-12, 2010
Oakland University Overview
• Founded in 1957 as MSUO• Charter class graduated in 1963 with 125 students
receiving Oakland University diplomas• Over 19,000 students with 134 undergraduate degrees
offered
Undergraduate Admissions Overview
• OU undergraduate population: 15,530• OU grad level population: 3,523• Fall 2010 FTIAC: 2,311• Fall 2010 Transfer: 1,825• Reasons for collaboration: Alumni participation
increases national recognition, yielding, and retention efforts
Alumni Relations Overview
• Over 84,500 alumni worldwide• Nearly 60,000 alumni live within the state of Michigan• No out-of-state annual Alumni Relations outreach
initiatives• Reasons for collaboration: AAAP Program initiated to
strategically advance and creatively position Oakland University, while also providing a return on investment to address the economic issues
AAAP MissionThe Mission of the AAAP is to meaningfully engage Oakland University alumni in the recruitment and retention of Undergraduate Admissions efforts
Five Strategies1) Leverage Resources and Gain Buy-In from
the Campus
2) Facilitate alumni expertise and passions to appropriate volunteer initiative
3) Coordinate Volunteer Training and Recruitment Opportunities
Five Strategies4) Maintain Alumni Involvement
5) Recognize and Reward Alumni Service to the University
1) Leverage Resources and Gain Buy-In from the Campus
• Alumni Faculty and Staff Outreach
• Academic Units Outreach
• Collaboration Outreach to Senior Students
• University Departments Recruiting and Retaining Students
• Grizzly Story Time Visit Program
Alumni Faculty and Staff Outreach
Alumni Reception Academic Unit Recruitment Programs
Collaboration Outreach to Senior Students
Senior Brunch
Student Ambassadors
University Retention Efforts
CORE Reception in Detroit
Freshman Move - In
University Retention Efforts
Student to Professional Conference
Dinner with a Dozen Grizzlies
Grizzly Story Time Visit Program
March Is Reading Month initiative Collaboration with Pre-College and PSA programs
Grizzly Story Time Visit Program
Government Relations collaboration
School of Education collaboration
2) Market your Initiatives to Alumni
• Web site and marketing materials
• Develop and build a strong relationship with communications and marketing unit
• Affinity groups and utilizing alumni data
• Align with Undergraduate Admissions strategies
• Testimonials and photos
• One-on-one apts
AAAP WebsiteOakland.edu/aaap
Marketing Materials Points of Pride piece
Marketing Materials AAAP brochure
Communication StrategiesTargeted Markets
Communication Strategies
News Stories Web Banners
Social Media
Utilize Data Available
Past Affinity Groups
• Student Leader Reception• Student Organizations• Student workers• Student Alumni Association• Hometown Grizzlies
Utilizing Alumni Data
• Alumni Faculty and Staff employees
• Alumni who have volunteered at the University in the past
• Alumni who have attended an on campus / off campus event
• Social Media• Alumni Parents • Engagement Outreach
Receptions
AAAP Aligned with Undergraduate Admissions for Strategic Engagement Outreach
Alumni Engagement Receptions
Leveraging Legacy Scholarships
AAAP Aligned with Undergraduate Admissions for Strategic Engagement Outreach
Alumni Engagement Receptions
Out-of-State Student Welcome Receptions
Testimonials and Photos
Share Ambassadors experiences
• Brochures• Receptions • Web site• Stories
Use Photos and Stories to paint the picture
• Photo Slideshow• Follow up story about the event
– Highlight meaningful connections that were made
• Past photos to enhance upcoming opportunity
3) Coordinate Volunteer Training and Opportunities
• Training
• Align opportunities with Undergraduate Admissions recruitment strategies
• Listen to ambassador interests and respond
• Follow up
Training• Training Binder• Website Training Materials• One-on-one apts• Follow up
Face To Face Training Sessions
Out-of-State Recruitment Outreach and Training
Campus Tours and Personal Trainings
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment EventsCollege Fairs
Teaming Up With Admissions Adviser at sanctioned fairs
Out-of-state Independently
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events On Campus
Welcome Receptions
Welcome Reception Alumni Keynote Speakers
Welcome Reception Alumni Hosts
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment EventsOn Campus
Go For The Gold!
Alumni Hosts hand out Prizes Alumni panelists share their OU story
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events
• On campus group visits/connecting with their HS alma mater
• High School visit presentation/visiting their HS alma mater and community college attended
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events
• Letter to Specific Communities• Email to Specific Student with same
Interest• Grizzly Story Time Visit Program
4) Maintain Alumni Involvement• Personal contact
• Ask for honest feedback and respond
• Maintain ambassadors trust and they will continue to support
• Share outcomes from their service
• Invitations that are not ALWAYS volunteer based
• Instill ownership
• Social Media
AAAP E-Newsletter
Maintain Involvement Evaluation Share Outcomes
5) Recognize and Reward Alumni Service to the University
• Certificate of appreciation
• Nominate ambassadors for OU Alumni Awards
• Annual Ambassador Night / invitations to university events
• Social media / letter of reference
• Faculty review letter / comments
• AAAP spotlight
Certificate of Appreciation signed by University President
OU Alumni Awards BanquetAAAP Ambassadors received the
‘09,’10,&’11 Alumni Spirit & Community Service Awards
Recognition of Ambassadors
Annual AAAP Appreciation Night
Ambassador Spotlight Button on Multiple Websites
AAAP Return on Investment
• Out-of-state admits and orientation sign ups increased
• Over 300 ambassadors are engaged and have contributed over 500 volunteer hours of service
• Undergraduate Admissions out-of-state applications have doubled over the last 3 years
• Over 10,000 points of contact have been made with prospective students
AAAP Tracking
• Alumni contacts• Measurable outcomes• Event Ambassadors• Ambassador hours of service• Estimate points of contact by alumni at event• Evaluations• Additional time, talent, treasure opportunities
AAAP Programoakland.edu/aaap
Luke FleerAssociate Director of Alumni Engagement
[email protected]@lukefleer