From the Nominator

What do you do when you have something really complex to figure out and need expert advice? At the University of Maryland, There’s a Terp for That! Beginning in spring 2023, UMD launched a series of conversations with alumni thought leaders and industry experts to gain perspective on some of the hottest topics in business. The ask for alumni was simple: Give us one hour of your time to share your expertise and make the university a better place. The first topic selected was talent management. Like other advancement teams, UMD University Relations recognized the importance of cultivating its most valuable asset: its people. However, without a strong foundation of talent management, the Division had no road map to follow and needed guidance to set up a world-class program. Instead of contracting with pricey consultants, the Division looked inward to the Terp community and found dozens of alumni experts willing to help their alma mater in this endeavor. Sponsoring the effort were the two premier volunteer leadership groups on campus: the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors. Volunteer leaders representing both boards facilitated 10 discussions with 50+ alumni experts from diverse backgrounds. There were general discussions on best practices, as well as more focused sessions on recruitment, retention, professional development, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). The input from alumni experts helped inform a five-year road map for talent management growth for the Division of University Relations.

From the Judges

This program creatively engaged over 50 alumni volunteers, including current board members, to leverage their expertise for the university's strategic initiatives. This approach provided valuable insights into alumni perspectives and informed a five-year road map for talent management within the Division of University Relations. The program's cost-effectiveness and replicable model make it an excellent example of using alumni talent to advance university missions.