Meaningful Alumni Engagement -Without Asking for a Dime

Learn how to build a program utilizing alumni volunteers as 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 MissionThe Mission of the AAAP is to meaningfully engage Oakland University alumni in the recruitment and retention of Undergraduate Admissions efforts

Five Strategies1) Leverage Resources and Gain Buy-In from

the Campus

2) Facilitate alumni expertise and passions to appropriate volunteer initiative

3) Coordinate Volunteer Training and Recruitment Opportunities

Five Strategies4) 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

• One-on-one apts

AAAP WebsiteOakland.edu/aaap

Marketing Materials Points of Pride piece

Marketing Materials AAAP brochure

Communication StrategiesTargeted Markets

Communication Strategies

News Stories Web Banners

Social Media

Utilize Data Available

Past Affinity Groups

• Student Leader Reception• Student Organizations• Student workers• Student Alumni Association• Hometown Grizzlies

Utilizing Alumni Data

• 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

• Brochures• Receptions • Web site• Stories

Use Photos and Stories to paint the picture

• 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• One-on-one apts• Follow up

Face To Face Training Sessions

Out-of-State Recruitment Outreach and Training

Campus Tours and Personal Trainings

Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment EventsCollege 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 EventsOn 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 Program

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

• Social Media

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

OU Alumni Awards BanquetAAAP Ambassadors received the

‘09,’10,&’11 Alumni Spirit & Community Service Awards

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• Additional time, talent, treasure opportunities

AAAP Programoakland.edu/aaap

Luke FleerAssociate Director of Alumni Engagement

fleer@oakland.edu@lukefleer