Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting

In this episode of Alumless World, hosts Ryan Catherwood and Nicole Kempton welcome Louis Adekola, Founder and CEO of Edvant Edge Africa, for a conversation about the evolving landscape of alumni engagement in West Africa. As a leader in international education and advancement, Louis brings unique insights from his work as a Regional Officer for the University of Sussex, his experience as a Chevening Scholar, and his leadership of The International Education Africa Summit & Awards. The discussion explores how international student recruitment influences long-term alumni engagement, the key differences between Nigerian and UK university alumni networks, and the emerging trends shaping alumni relations across Africa. Louis also shares strategies for building alumni loyalty in globally dispersed communities, the role of social media in professional networking, and how cultural perspectives impact philanthropy and alumni giving patterns in West African institutions. This episode provides valuable insights for institutions looking to engage alumni in international contexts and learn from the innovative approaches emerging across Africa. Subscribe to Alumless World on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to hear the extended podcast conversation, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for more details about their events-and-all technology that makes managing signature programs simple.

We're not ones to brag, but please indulge us in a #humblebrag post in the midst of #MarchMadness. CMAC clients (current and former) in the tournaments include: Women = 18 (Ball State, Baylor, Creighton, Duke, High Point, Illinois, Indiana, Lehigh, Maryland, NC State, Notre Dame, Oregon State, TCU, UCLA, UNC Greensboro, Vanderbilt, Vermont, and William & Mary) Men = 15 (American, Arizona, Baylor, Bryant, Creighton, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, High Point, Illinois, Maryland, Memphis, UCLA, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin) We're liking our odds of a CMAC school making it all the way to the championship in BOTH brackets! Happy #MarchMadness to all who are celebrating. ??????

NEW ARTICLE! Alumni boards and university staff don’t always see eye to eye. Friction can arise from personality clashes, shifting priorities, or unclear communication. But what if that tension could be turned into momentum? Our latest article from Ryan Catherwood speaks towards how to get back on the right track. https://www.cmac.me/

Looking for a little inspo during your Sunday scroll? Check out this idea from University of Denver Alumni. What a beautiful initiative to connect students and alumni—the old-fashioned way. In this world of tweets, texts and timelines, a handwritten note really sticks out. ???? Bravo, DU! -KI

We ?? Ryan Catherwood and Paul Clifford casually hanging out with a Founding Father. Fun fact: James Madison was born March 16, 1751. He’d be … 274 years old tomorrow. Fun fact #2: our favorite days are ones spent with clients. Thanks for having us, James Madison University! -KI

In this episode of Alumless, Chris Marshall and Nicole Kempton explore the growing intersection of innovation and university advancement with Dr. Davy Norris, Senior Vice President for Innovation and Advancement and CEO of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Louisiana Tech recently made a bold move by merging its Innovation Enterprise with University Advancement: this strategic shift positions alumni, research, and economic development at the heart of institutional growth. Davy shares what prompted this integration, how it aligns with Louisiana Tech’s mission, and what it means for philanthropy, industry partnerships, and alumni engagement. The conversation dives into the future of alumni participation in innovation, the role of advancement in supporting research commercialization, and how this model could reshape regional economic development. This episode provides key insights for institutions rethinking how advancement and innovation can work together to create new opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni. Subscribe to Alumless to hear the extended podcast conversation—special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for more info on their events-and-everything technology.

We're cheering for our friends at Cornell University on Cornell Giving Day! This team always comes up with the most unique, engaging, successful ideas. ???? Is your Giving Day coming soon? Post a link to your site in the comments! We'd love to learn from each other. -KI

?? NEW ARTICLE ?? As a follow-up to our recent posts on philanthropy-focused engagement, Kim Infanti shares her experience as two separate teams became one at Syracuse University. If you've merged annual giving and alumni engagement, or if that's the direction you're heading in, you'll want to spend a few minutes reading this post—and we'd love to hear what your experience has been!

Sharing a few thought-provoking pieces from Fast Company on leadership and Gen Z. "They don’t just want jobs; they want workplaces that prioritize psychological safety, transparency, and fairness." Whether you're a member of Gen Z, or working alongside someone in Gen Z, these pieces are well-worth a Sunday read. How do we create a workplace where all generations can thrive? https://lnkd.in/evRnP_uh https://lnkd.in/gNVmmKVg We'd love to hear your experiences either leading Gen Z or as a member of Gen Z. - KI

Catching up on content this Saturday? Let us help! We've shared several recent articles about making the case for an investment in alumni engagement. We've seen some great convos and connections pop up in the comments, and we hope you'll find these helpful in your work. Take a moment to read and share YOUR thoughts! -KI Ryan Catherwood on adapting to philanthropy-focused engagement: https://lnkd.in/g-DVMyNS Nicole Hess Kempton on proving your value: https://lnkd.in/g5zRNKnA Ryan Catherwood on measuring alumni engagement: https://lnkd.in/gRJSuEqa Happy reading!