How can alumni relations staff adapt to changing trends and challenges?

2 Embrace digital tools

Digital tools can help you reach, engage, and connect with your alumni in various ways. You can use social media, email, webinars, podcasts, and online platforms to share stories, news, and opportunities with your alumni. You can also use digital tools to facilitate networking, mentoring, and volunteering among your alumni and current students. Digital tools can also help you track and measure your alumni engagement and impact. However, you should also balance your digital communication with personal and human touchpoints, such as phone calls, handwritten notes, and face-to-face meetings.

3 Foster a culture of giving

One of the main goals of alumni relations is to cultivate a culture of giving among your alumni. You can do this by demonstrating the value and impact of your institution, highlighting the achievements and needs of your students and faculty, and showcasing the benefits and recognition of giving. You can also use storytelling, gamification, and peer-to-peer fundraising to inspire and motivate your alumni to donate. You should also thank and acknowledge your donors promptly and sincerely, and provide them with regular updates and reports on how their gifts are used.

4 Collaborate with stakeholders

Alumni relations staff should not work in isolation, but rather collaborate with other stakeholders within and outside the institution. You can partner with academic departments, student services, career centers, and research centers to align your alumni relations goals and activities with the institutional mission and vision. You can also work with external stakeholders, such as employers, community organizations, media outlets, and professional associations, to create opportunities and value for your alumni. By collaborating with stakeholders, you can leverage their resources, expertise, and networks to enhance your alumni relations.

5 Invest in professional development

Alumni relations staff should also invest in their own professional development to keep up with the changing trends and challenges in their field. You can seek opportunities to learn new skills, knowledge, and best practices from online courses, webinars, podcasts, books, and blogs. You can also join professional associations, networks, and communities to exchange ideas, experiences, and advice with other alumni relations professionals. You can also seek feedback and mentoring from your peers, managers, and alumni to improve your performance and career growth.