All Sessions
Summer Institute in Alumni Relations 2024
Summer Institute in Alumni Relations 2024
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54 Results Found
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Face to Face: The Art of Asking Strategic Questions
Strategic and generative conversations are at the heart of our work. Questioning and listening are powerful life skills. First, they will help you create productive donor relationships. What organizations do you support with your philanthropy? Where are we on your list of philanthropies? How do you make your philanthropic decisions? What has been your most meaningful gift? Quality questions elicit amazing information that will guide you in the solicitation process and help you build relationships on campus with your supervisor, peers and faculty members. Learn how to develop questions instead of talking points that will inform your gift strategy, advance relationships, and result in a joyful, generous "Yes" to your request for increased engagement with your institution, a significant gift to one of your priorities or for whatever you were hoping that volunteer or colleague would do to help you achieve your goals.
Speakers: Heidi Hansen McCrory, Vice President for Development, Furman University
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Mastering Your Craft - Pathways to Peak Performance
Why do some fundraising & advancement professionals thrive where others struggle? What can we learn from individuals who arrive at the highest levels of performance? How might recent studies of expert performers inform our approach to our work? We will explore these questions and review techniques that are essential to our craft. Join us and discover why advancement stars are made and not born.
Speakers: Armin Afsahi, Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development, University of Chicago
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
What You Need to Know about Strategy
Highly sought advancement professionals understand strategy. Whether you’re an early professional, mid-career, or aiming for an executive chair, those who are most valuable to their team understand what their university stands for, who it benefits, and why people should care. These essential but ephemeral ideas are wrapped up in the university’s brand and organizational strategy. In this session we’ll explore how to understand your university’s strategy and how to align your goals, talents and interests with the needs of your institution for the greatest mutual benefit.
Speakers: Tony Proudfoot, Vice President for Marketing and Strategic Communications, Western Michigan University
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT
Why Integrate DEIB into Alumni Engagement
Like many organizations, advancement leaders and teams are determining when and how to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) initiatives into program plans. Oftentimes, there is a question "why, do we need to...?" Not only is DEI&B work necessary, it should be integrated into every aspect of the plans, programs, events, and communications you execute. This session will help you to understand and be intentional in your efforts to create purposeful inclusion.
Speakers: Joycelyn Blizzard, Director of Multicultural Alumni Engagement, Bowdoin College, Erika Jordan, Vice President Alumni Engagement, Boston University
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Introduction to Alumni Relations Metrics and Outcomes
Data is at the heart of many decisions we need to make in Alumni Relations. Whether qualitative of quantitative, anecdotal or scientific, data should be the driving force behind the analysis of effective alumni engagement. Data-informed strategies and tactics can lead to the outcomes you desire for your campus. During this session, we will discuss the importance of data and how to best leverage the information you have at your disposal to improve engagement outcomes.
Speakers: William Pierce, Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement, Office of Alumni Engagement, The University of Toledo Foundation
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Event Planning 101
Events are at the heart of alumni engagement, and understanding the “art of gathering”, how to strategically approach events based on your intended outcomes and next steps, and the core elements of successfully planning and executing are critical. This session is designed to provide you with a tactical approach to events, as well as a modern approach to evaluating the outcomes and success of your events.
Speakers: Erika Jordan, Vice President Alumni Engagement, Boston University
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
All A-Board! Alumni Board Management 101
Alumni board volunteers partner with alumni staff in executing institutional/departmental goals for the alumni community. Defining specific roles and responsibilities for each volunteer leads to their accountability for how to achieve those goals. Don’t miss this train, as we embark on an overview of strategic alumni board management while making stops to discuss operations, governance, and pipeline development for future board leadership.
Speakers: Shumiala Kinnear, Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, Caryn Schultz Korman, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni & Donor Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CT
Digital Engagement (Tactical Strategies)
Let’s talk about the importance of digital engagement within alumni relations. We will explore various types of digital content, including social media interactions and virtual events, Hear about effective strategies for creating engaging content and measuring its impact. Additionally, gain inspiration from successful digital engagement initiatives implemented by CASE member schools.
Speakers: Katie Young, Director of Alumni Relations, Greenhill School
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CT
Alumni Volunteers: Love ‘em or Lose ‘em
Volunteers play an essential role in reaching goals and engaging the full alumni network. It is our job to match their passion and partner with them to achieve mutually beneficial results that enhance their experience and your program. In this session, we’ll discuss tips to recruit, retain, reward and yes – reassign or retire your volunteers. Join us to discover how you can manage alumni volunteers and maximize effectiveness in your day-to-day work, institutional mission, and engagement goals.
Speakers: Reggie Bustinza, Executive Director of Operations and Alumni Engagement, Northern Illinois University Foundation
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CT
This is the Remix: A Fresh Approach to Student and Young Alumni Engagement
Ensuring alumni develop a lifelong affinity to your institution requires cultivating relationships throughout their time as students and as they transition to young alumni. Historically, alumni engagement efforts have not always included segmented student and young alumni programming and messaging, certainly not as a priority; however, recently, institutions are reconsidering how to best meet students and young alumni where they are, in spaces conducive to their evolving life stages. Come to this session to gain practical insights for strengthening your team’s student and young alumni engagement efforts.
Speakers: Terrance Smith, Senior Director of Student and Young Alumni Engagement, University of Georgia (UGA) Division of Development and Alumni Relations