Understanding the Next Generation of Alumni
Research shows that recent graduates under the age of 35 have differing expectations of their alumni associations than of generations before them. Understanding this new demographic in alumni relations is an institution-wide, strategic imperative.
Alumni Matter
The success of many higher education institutions is supported by alumni funding. After foundations, alumni contributions were the single largest source of gifts in 2017.
— Alumni Giving in 2017 —
Young Alumni
Young alumni don't want college to end with graduation
Huron's client research shows that alumni under 35:
Want to increase their involvement with their alma mater
Don't feel like the current offerings are for "people like them"
Have the most robust set of needs and interests
Young alumni are interested in:
How do young alumni want to learn?
Online Faculty Lectures or Panels
Online Learning Courses / Programs
Online Library Resources
Institutional Outlook
Institutional leaders recognize that alumni engagement programs need to be improved based on the value and preferences of their young alumni.
What alumni relations leadership thinks:
How some institutions are responding to the changing needs of young alumni:
Connecting Alumni With Graduating Students
Curating Digital Learning Opportunities
High-Impact/Lower-commitment Local Programs and Special Interest Groups
Online Platforms for Networking, Job Searching and Mentoring
Sources:
- 2017 Voluntary Support of Education Survey/Council for Aid to Education
- VAESE: The Alumni Relations Benchmarking Study/Voluntary Alumni Engagement in Support of Education
- Huron proprietary market research