Meaningful Alumni Engagement Without Asking for a Dime Learn how to recruit and retain alumni volunteers to be a part of your recruitment initiative MACRAO Conference November 10 12, 2010
Oakland University Overview Founded in 1957 as MSUO Charter class graduated in 1963 with 125 students receiving Oakland University diplomas Over 19,000 students with 134 undergraduate degrees offered
Undergraduate Admissions Overview OU undergraduate population: 15,530 OU grad level population: 3,523 Fall 2010 FTIAC: 2,311 Fall 2010 Transfer: 1,825 Reasons for collaboration: Alumni participation increases national recognition, yielding, and retention efforts
Alumni Relations Overview Over 84,500 alumni worldwide Nearly 60,000 alumni live within the state of Michigan No out of state annual Alumni Relations outreach initiatives Reasons for collaboration: AAAP Program initiated to strategically advance and creatively position Oakland University, while also providing a return on investment to address the economic issues
AAAP Mission The Mission of the AAAP is to meaningfully engage Oakland University alumni in the recruitment and retention of Undergraduate Admissions efforts
Five Strategies 1) Leverage Resources and Gain Buy In from the Campus 2) Market your Initiatives to Alumni 3) Coordinate Volunteer Training and Recruitment Opportunities
Five Strategies 4) Maintain Alumni Involvement 5) Recognize and Reward Alumni Service to the University
1) Leverage Resources and Gain Buy In from the Campus Alumni Faculty and Staff Outreach Academic Units Outreach Collaboration Outreach to Senior Students University Departments Recruiting and Retaining Students Grizzly Story Time Visit Program
Alumni Faculty and Staff Outreach Alumni Reception Academic Unit Recruitment Programs
Collaboration Outreach to Senior Students Senior Brunch Student Ambassadors
University Retention Efforts CORE Reception in Detroit Freshman Move - In
University Retention Efforts Student to Professional Conference Dinner with a Dozen Grizzlies
Grizzly Story Time Visit Program March Is Reading Month initiative Collaboration with Pre College and PSA programs
Grizzly Story Time Visit Program Government Relations collaboration School of Education collaboration
2) Market your Initiatives to Alumni Web site and marketing materials Develop and build a strong relationship with communications and marketing unit Affinity groups and utilizing alumni data Align with Undergraduate Admissions strategies Testimonials and photos
AAAP Website Oakland.edu/aaap
Marketing Materials Points of Pride piece
Marketing Materials AAAP brochure
Communication Strategies Targeted Markets
Communication Strategies News Stories Web Banners
Social Media
Utilize Data Available Past Affinity Groups Utilizing Alumni Data Student Leader Reception Student Organizations Student workers Student Alumni Association Hometown Grizzlies Alumni Faculty and Staff employees Alumni who have volunteered at the University in the past Alumni who have attended an on campus / off campus event Social Media Alumni Parents Engagement Outreach Receptions
AAAP Aligned with Undergraduate Admissions for Strategic Engagement Outreach Alumni Engagement Receptions Leveraging Legacy Scholarships
AAAP Aligned with Undergraduate Admissions for Strategic Engagement Outreach Alumni Engagement Receptions Out of State Student Welcome Receptions
Testimonials and Photos Share Ambassadors experiences Use Photos and Stories to paint the picture Brochures Receptions Web site Stories Photo Slideshow Follow up story about the event Highlight meaningful connections that were made Past photos to enhance upcoming opportunity
3) Coordinate Volunteer Training and Opportunities Training Align opportunities with Undergraduate Admissions recruitment strategies Listen to ambassador interests and respond Follow up
Training Training Binder Website Training Materials Face to Face Meetings Follow up
Face To Face Training Sessions Out of State Recruitment Outreach and Training Campus Tours and Personal Trainings
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events College Fairs Teaming Up With Admissions Adviser at sanctioned fairs Out of state Independently
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events On Campus Welcome Receptions Welcome Reception Alumni Keynote Speakers Welcome Reception Alumni Hosts
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events On Campus Go For The Gold! Alumni Hosts hand out Prizes Alumni panelists share their OU story
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events On campus group visits/connecting with their HS alma mater High School visit presentation/visiting their HS alma mater and community college attended
Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events Letter to Specific Communities Email to Specific Student with same Interest Grizzly Story Time Visit
4) Maintain Alumni Involvement Personal contact Ask for honest feedback and respond Maintain ambassadors trust and they will continue to support Share outcomes from their service Invitations that are not ALWAYS volunteer based Instill ownership
AAAP E Newsletter
Maintain Involvement Evaluation Share Outcomes
5) Recognize and Reward Alumni Service to the University Certificate of appreciation Nominate ambassadors for OU Alumni Awards Annual Ambassador Night / invitations to university events Social media / letter of reference Faculty review letter / comments AAAP spotlight
Certificate of Appreciation signed by University President
Alumni Awards Banquet AAAP Ambassador received the 2009 Alumni Spirit Award
Recognition of Ambassadors Annual AAAP Appreciation Night Ambassador Spotlight Button on Multiple Websites
AAAP Return on Investment Out of state admits and orientation sign ups increased Over 300 ambassadors are engaged and have contributed over 500 volunteer hours of service Undergraduate Admissions out of state applications have doubled over the last 3 years Over 10,000 points of contact have been made with prospective students
AAAP Tracking Alumni contacts Measurable outcomes Event Ambassadors Ambassador hours of service Estimate points of contact by alumni at event Evaluations
Challenges Some college fairs do not permit alums How to handle alumni who do not fit the volunteer role
Contact Information oakland.edu/aaap Dawn Aubry Slowik Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions dmaubry@oakland.edu Luke Fleer Associate Director of Alumni Engagement fleer@oakland.edu