Making the most of Alumni. Wednesday 22 nd September 2010

Transcription

1 Making the most of Alumni Wednesday 22 nd September 2010

2 Session Overview Introductions (5 minutes) Objectives (5 minutes) Setting the scene (15 minutes) Group exercise (15 minutes) Feedback and discussion (25 minutes) Future plans and close (5 minutes)

3 Session Objectives 1. To set out the alumni context 2. To outline current alumni initiatives at Warwick 3. To consider alumni engagement as relating to student recruitment 4. To discuss ideas and experiences across alumni engagement

4 Setting the Scene The bigger picture UK US Warwick Strategy Transparency The student experience Alumni as resource

5 What our alumni are saying I would actively recommend 41% I would recommend if asked 48% I would neither recommend 10% nor discourage I would discourage if asked 1% I would actively discourage 0% Source: ISB Autumn 2009 > 58% of alumni are not active ambassadors of Warwick after graduation.

6 Alumni Volunteer Power Events (hosting, helping) Alumni groups Giving talks at graduation International Ambassadors Discounts / deals / excellent service Time Advocacy, careers, expertise Maintain and pass on traditions and history

7 Alumni and student recruitment

8 Priority information needs for applicants 1. Course content 2. Teaching quality 3. Employability 4. Good place to be? 5. Social facilities Source: ISB Autumn 2009 Alumni represent a significant resource to potential applicants in providing this information telling a real story beyond the prospectus, website and other recruitment interventions.

9 But how does this relate to what alumni want? Alumni want: A stronger connection with the University Greater connection with other alumni More opportunities for lifelong learning and careers support Improved technological access A wide variety of volunteer opportunities

10 So how can / should the two groups be linked? Loyalty to *the University+ starts with the freshman class. Five administrators speak to them and the first speaker is the alumni association volunteer who speaks to them about lifelong involvement. It s an easy way to begin the relationship. We ve invested in student programming particularly focussed on treating first year students as first year alumni. That way we have them forever. Private US University, 2009

11 Our strengths and current activity Strong sense of community on campus Motivated, engaged student population Existing provision of professional and networking support for alumni Alumni weekend launched in June 2009 Known appetite for ambassadorial involvement within alumni community and known examples of international alumni support of student recruitment

12 Warwick Mix Internal Promotional Conversion Market Intelligence Target Setting Budget Planning University wide communications Incoming visits Admissions facilitation Regional expertise Schools, Colleges Sponsors Exhibitions Web presence Alumni Ambassadors Website British Council Regular country visits Overseas offices Agents Offer holder events Predeparture activities Calling Campaigns Live chat campaigns Website

13 Case Study: Philippines Alumni representing the University at a recruitment event Clarizza L Doloroso Senior Director Tax Services, Ernst and Young Philippine Graduate of LLM International Economic Law Arnel Banas, the Deputy Secretary for Administrative and Financial Services of the Philippine Senate, Emmanuel Bonoan, the Chief Operating Officer of KPMG-Philippines, Spoke with almost 100 students (sometimes 5 students at a time) during the 2.5 hours session and answered all sorts of questions to the best of our knowledge and based on our own experiences studying in Warwick and living in the UK. The prospectuses, postcards, and other literature, particularly, the costings, were very helpful (only 5 universities had materials to distribute). The gifts were a hit (we were the only school giving away key chains, pens and phone charms, and with our own banner and table cloth!) Thanks to you for supporting us.

14 Case Study: Philippines

15 Noted overseas alumni Gonzalo Soltero Mexican Writer Utoni Nujoma Namibian Politician (Son of the former President of Namibia) Leila Sansour Founder & CEO of Open Bethlehem James Franklin Australian Philosopher Ness Wadia Indian Entrepreneur & Businessman, heir to Bombay Dyeing and Co owner of the Indian Premier Cricket League Sir David Li Kwok-Po Hong Kong based Banker and Politician. CEO of Bank of East Asia Aw Ta-Shi (known as Tash Aw)- Malaysian Writer Luciano Floridi One of Italys most influential thinkers in Philosophy Chan Yuen-Han noted Hong Kong female trade unionist Chip Tsao (known as To Kit) Hong Kong based columnist, broadcaster and writer

16 Warwick Welcome Service The official student face of Warwick s recruitment activities In operation for over 15 years. Pool of approx 120 students Recruitment and selection of around 80 new WWS each spring Increased training and resources Monitoring and references Senior WWS

17 Current activity (general) Increased use of students in: The production of recruitment material (eg prospectus, Open Day guides) Focus groups (eg content of presentations, prospectus project) Events (Senior WWS, Aimhigher Associates Scheme, school visits)

18 Group Exercise 1. What are the obstacles to alumni actively recommending their institution? Consider the similarities / differences between UK and international students. 2. What can academic departments/central administration do towards increasing the number of active, trusted alumni ambassadors? Consider the student lifecycle approach.

19 The ambassador mix Enquiry and application Academic and student experience Graduation Alumni ambassador? It is the job of everyone at Warwick (not just DARO) to culturally embed the importance of and need for alumni relations, from moment students arrive on campus, during their time here and after they leave. DARO presentation to Council