Strategic Approaches to Boost Alumni Engagement Using Preparedness for Life Data

Trivia Answer: True! Alumni who report that their collegiate experience strongly prepared them for their life are more than twice as likely to donate and three times as likely to participate in mentoring or professional networking events than those who report feeling unprepared. The connection between alumni’s level of preparedness for life and engagement opens […]

Preparedness for Life: The Leading Indicator for Lifelong Alumni Engagement

In the world of alumni relations, engagement is the lifeblood of sustaining connections, financial support, and community vitality. Yet, what factors drive alumni to remain active and committed over decades? New research by the Alumni Attitude Study identifies a fundamental element that shapes enduring alumni engagement: alumni perception of their preparedness for life. This blog […]

Smart Engagement for Institutions with Limited Resources

Conducting an alumni survey is far more than a data-gathering exercise. It’s a strategic act of relationship-building that can transform alumni engagement, especially at institutions with modest budgets and lean teams. By inviting alumni to share their opinions via alumni surveys, institutions plant the seeds of trust and demonstrate genuine care, laying the foundation for […]

Checkups for Success: Maintaining a Healthy Advancement Organization

At the Alumni Attitude Study, we often discuss how our clients might analogize a partnership with us to a routine wellness exam with a primary care physician. The reality is that it’s essential for all advancement teams to regularly check in with their alumni to assess their current state of mind and perceptions of the […]

An Alumni Survey Isn’t Just About Data: The Three Pillars of an Effective Alumni Survey

Regular alumni surveys serve as far more than routine data reports: they are multipurpose tools for building narrative, prioritizing resources, engaging alumni authentically, and fostering campus-wide unity. Rob Shoss, President and Managing Consultant, explains in the featured video below that regular alumni surveys offer three pillars of transformative value for institutions, especially those striving for […]

Partnership Highlight: A Conversation with Samantha Gordon

Curious how a major urban university is using alumni feedback to drive real change? In our latest interview, Samantha Gordon, Executive Director of Alumni Relations at Pace University, shares how partnering with the Alumni Attitude Study has helped Pace truly listen to its alumni and transform engagement strategies. Samantha describes how survey insights revealed the […]

Partnership Highlight: A Conversation with Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch

Curious how a top college is using alumni feedback to drive real change? In our latest interview, Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch, Chief Alumni Officer at Wheaton College, shares how partnering with the Alumni Attitude Study helped Wheaton truly listen to alumni voices. Cindra discusses how survey data validated alumni concerns, fostered buy-in from leadership, and became […]

Partnership Highlight: A Conversation with Michelle Curtin

Curious how one of the nation’s most respected independent schools is reimagining alumni engagement? Phillips Exeter Academy recently partnered with the Alumni Attitude Study to move beyond assumptions and gain actionable insights from their alumni community. In our new interview, Michelle Curtin, Director of Alumni Relations and Advancement Communications Strategy, shares how the survey became […]

Why Now Is the Moment to Engage Alumni: Navigating Higher Education’s Stormy Seas

Higher education is navigating unprecedented challenges: shrinking endowments, political scrutiny, declining public trust, and generational shifts in alumni expectations. In this turbulent climate, alumni engagement isn’t just a nicety: it’s a lifeline. While financial pressures might tempt institutions to cut back, the data* reveals that now is precisely the time to invest in alumni relationships. […]

Data-Driven Strategies: Leveraging Alumni Insights for Campaign Success

In an era where nearly every university is mid-campaign or planning one, alumni surveys—like the Alumni Attitude Study—emerge as a game-changer. These tools don’t just measure sentiment; they strategically align campaigns with alumni priorities, ensuring efforts resonate deeply and drive results. Why Alumni Surveys Matter for Campaigns Campaigns thrive when they unite stakeholders around a shared […]