Whether at a CASE conference or other gathering of senior advancement executives, the topic of turnover always arises: How do we attract and keep talented staff? Could offering bonus pay help?

As we prepare for the promise of a new year, I am increasingly mindful of our need to advance education throughout the world.

Many people conjure up images of whiskey, bagpipes, and men in kilts when they think of Scotland. Kate Perkins had a different vision in mind in August 2014 when she accepted her post as the second secretary for Scottish Affairs at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.

If you work in media relations at a college or university, that sentiment has likely been a takeaway from some interactions with faculty members and administrators.

In fall 2015, Boston University shared big news on its website and Facebook pages about its 100-year-old Castle. The building—formerly the president's home and now a venue for weddings and special events—would be converted into an alumni center. The posts generated more than 300 likes, shares, and comments.

How many times have you heard this: "I didn't plan on a career in advancement—I just fell into it"? Despite a growing need for fundraisers, recruiters are struggling to find talent. "The development profession is still a well-kept secret—and something we need to change," CASE President Sue Cunningham said during a recent CASE program. Degree programs in advancement remain rare (although notable ones include the U.K.'s University of Chichester's charity development degree and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University), and the field is frequently misunderstood.

Cross-campus alumni relations is a lot like space flight. You may have several satellites—your unit communicators and alumni and development officers—receiving and transmitting information with alumni, but without regular maintenance and care, you could be losing valuable data.

In May 2014, Eastern New Mexico University asked a tough question: Were we engaging in cultural appropriation? We weren't known as the Redskins or Savages nor were we represented by a disparaging image. ENMU was not one of the 18 colleges and universities identified in 2005 when the NCAA issued its policy prohibiting institutions using "hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery" from participating in its championship tournaments.

Ideas we love from institutions everywhere

After three years as director of communications for a startup company, in late 2014 I traded a spacious open-plan office and perks such as yoga and unlimited vacation days for a newly created position at my alma mater.