What are the best ways to track alumni engagement?

It is important to set goals ahead so that you know where to head for - in most context for alumni engagement, most universities look at areas of fundraising, event attendance and retention, recruitment referrals, career outcomes within 1 year of graduation from university - to name a few.

Indicators such as involvement when at university, relationships with fellow alumni, workplace loyalty with an eye on industry relations, and the crucial aspect of autonomy and communication, all exemplify a holistic approach to alumni engagement. By addressing these aspects, we aim not only to gauge the level of alumni commitment but also to create an environment where alumni feel empowered to contribute, collaborate, and provide valuable feedback. As we implement this Alumni Engagement Index, we are positioning ourselves for more informed decision-making and a more engaged alumni network, which will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of our university.

Recently taking reference to the employee engagement index, I have come up with the alumni engagement index that best suits the university I represent - including indicators such as their involvement when at school, their relationships with fellow alumni, their workplace loyalty (relating to industry relations for the university), autonomy and communication - do they feel that they can openly share feedback and exchange ideas on how to better engage themselves alumni as a community etc.

Part of my team works with volunteers to engage alumni in regional areas. We of course collect and report attendance numbers but sometimes that can be out of your direct control (e.g. did it snow the night of your event?). So we also have internal metrics for success. Do we have more activities or new areas activated? Are people coming back to another event (retention) or likely to share with a friend (satisfaction)? Do you have a lot of new or new segments of alumni coming to events, especially if that was the target audience? We think a lot about metrics that show the team’s success in reaching goals.

Your alumni engagement tool must include a way to store a robust alumni database with detailed profiles and communication with event management capabilities. Automated email campaigns, survey and feedback tools, social media integration, fundraising support, and analytics for tracking engagement metrics are a must for building a thriving network. Additionally, personalized content delivery, mentorship program support, and mobile app accessibility enhance alumni interaction. The tool should facilitate seamless alumni networking, promote involvement, and enable data-driven decision-making to nurture strong, lasting alumni relationships.

I particularly enjoy sharing our alumni profiles and stories, photos and achievements on LinkedIn so that our proud moments are not just shared within our own university alumni community but also with the rest of the world including their colleagues and network so that we can all celebrate wins and in return also increase the university's brand awareness all in all!

A podcast series is an excellent way to showcase the achievements, career and life paths of your alumni. They are your best advocates and their voices are authentic.

My brother just bought a building to house his Chicago branch law practice that sits directly across from the law school he attended almost 20 years ago. Imagine if the school was engaged with him...and he is just one example..

To ensure alumni engagement with the alma mater. I have noticed some universities offer complementary course to their alumni just to make sure they strengthen the relationship and keep them engaged in everything they are doing.