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
Communicating in a Political Environment
Over the past decade, higher education has shifted from having our faculty experts comment during election years to candidates using our work and missions as polarizing talking points. Regardless of your role in marketing or communications, grasping the interconnected nature of higher education and politics will empower you to be more effective in your role. Teresa will provide vital tools for proactive, strategic, and thoughtful action. In addition, this session will provide data and national trends from the current election year to frame how we can help our leaders look around corners and return to strategically communicating with our internal and external stakeholders to remain true to our strategic foci and key messages. Teresa will share what works in a polarizing environment, what we need to plan for in the coming months, and how we should position our expertise for different stakeholders so we can have a leadership role in shaping our own narratives and our institutions’ reputations.
Speakers: Teresa Valerio Parrot, Principal, TVP Communications
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT
Talking ‘Bout My Generation: Alumni Engagement for All Ages and Stages
Your institution engages a wide variety of students and alumni, all linked by one common experience. Identifying critical alumni touch points based on life stage can help us better understand the journey and maximize engagement. We will share themes on the student and alumni experiences from different generations; their preferences for communication and engagement; and innovative ways that you can connect with students and alumni from different eras.
Speakers: Caryn Schultz Korman, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni & Donor Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago, Katie Young, Director of Alumni Relations, Greenhill School
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Alumni Relations Idea Generation
Dive into small groups with your fellow alumni relations pros to uncover new and efficient ways to reach your goals. We'll be chatting about hot topics like affinity programming, communications, volunteer management, lost alumni and more. Get ready to jump in and share your brilliant ideas, because this session is all about audience participation. Let's make it a fun and productive brainstorming session!
Speakers: Katie Young, Director of Alumni Relations, Greenhill School
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Show Me the Money! Understanding the Basics of Budgets
To advance in any field, a basic understanding of budgeting is a critical skill. Demonstrating solid budget management can also help you make the case to increase support for your programs. Whether you will be part of strategic budgeting conversations or responsible for managing a budget, knowledge of funding and the basics of financials, variance sheets, and budget planning will give you a head start to success. Attendees will walk away with resources and tools to make them more proficient and efficient with budgeting.
Speakers: Reggie Bustinza, Executive Director of Operations and Alumni Engagement, Northern Illinois University Foundation
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Alumni and Enrollment – A Critical Partnership
Colleges and universities are increasingly reliant upon sustained enrollment growth each year. With demographic and environmental factors wreaking havoc on traditional enrollment models and outcomes, institutions are continually searching for ways to support recruitment efforts that yield more students. Alumni are some of the best ambassadors and should be used throughout the recruitment of prospective students. In the session, you will learn about the importance of strategic partnerships between Alumni Relations and Enrollment Management, how to determine the ROI of investing in recruitment strategies involving alumni and a variety of strategies that have proven successful in enrolling students. No matter the enrollment outlook on your campus, the use of alumni in the recruitment process should be a core strategy.
Speakers: Shumiala Kinnear, Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, William Pierce, Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement, Office of Alumni Engagement, The University of Toledo Foundation
3:30 PM - 4:30 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
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CT
Affinity-Based Programming: If You Build It Will They Come?
The questions of why/how/when to incorporate affinity-based alumni programming is one every institution addresses. More importantly in this process are the steps taken to resolve those questions before implementation and execution. In this session, you will be able to address those questions, consider ways to inform your decisions, discuss action plans, and hear examples of lessons learned in the process.
Speakers: Reggie Bustinza, Executive Director of Operations and Alumni Engagement, Northern Illinois University Foundation, Joycelyn Blizzard, Director of Multicultural Alumni Engagement, Bowdoin College
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CT
Friendraising to Fundraising: The Bridge to Alumni Giving
Alumni relations work encourages alumni to engage with their alma mater for a lifetime. By creating meaningful engagement, alumni professionals can drive increased giving and participation rates. In this session, we will explore the role of alumni relations within institutional advancement and its overall impact. Join our discussion to learn how alumni relations professionals can effectively support fundraising and understand the crucial role they play in the giving cycle.
Speakers: William Pierce, Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement, Office of Alumni Engagement, The University of Toledo Foundation, Katie Young, Director of Alumni Relations, Greenhill School
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CT
All Institute Plenary: Leading from Your Seat
In today's ever-evolving workplace, it is crucial to develop effective strategies for managing up to your supervisors and navigating your organization's structure. We will explore the art of managing from your seat, providing you with insights and practical techniques to cultivate strong relationships with supervisors and peers while influencing the decision-making process. We will explore how to effectively communicate your ideas, and results to supervisors, ensuring your contributions are acknowledged and appreciated. Additionally, we will delve into techniques for growing your reputation and credibility and positioning you for success in today’s rapidly changing work environment.
Speakers: Sarah Schutt, Chief Alumni Officer, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Floyd Akins, Vice President for University Advancement, University of Toledo
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Metrics & Key Performance Indicators Across Advancement
In the ever-evolving landscape of alumni relations and fundraising, understanding and leveraging the power of data is critical for success. This session will delve into the strategic use of metrics and KPI to drive alumni engagement and boost fundraising outcomes. Attendees will learn how to harness data to identify trends, measure engagement effectiveness, and tailor outreach efforts for maximum ROI.
Speakers: William Pierce, Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement, Office of Alumni Engagement, The University of Toledo Foundation