Reframing Engagement Strategies: Alumni as a Unique Stakeholder Group

Effective alumni engagement requires institutions to move beyond broad outreach and consider alumni as a distinct and nuanced stakeholder group. By understanding how alumni differ from other key university stakeholders, and by factoring in their unique forms of institutional affinity, higher education leaders can drive greater impact with programming, communications, and philanthropic strategy. Understanding the […]
From Yesterday to Tomorrow: The New Motto for Alumni Success

A Note from Rob Shoss, President & Managing Consultant: As I talk with advancement professionals around the country, I often hear them ask, “How do I get alumni to focus on how they can support their alma mater? Alumni need to understand that the university cannot succeed without their support.” When I hear this, I […]
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 […]
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 […]
Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow: Engaging Young Alumni

In today’s rapidly evolving higher education landscape, understanding and effectively engaging young alumni has become more crucial than ever. To help others better understand this cohort, we looked at how over 100,000 young alumni (those who graduated in the last 10 years) responded to our surveys over the last five years. These alumni come from […]
The Powerful Connection Between Advocacy and Philanthropy

At PEG Ltd., our Alumni Attitude Study continues to illuminate the critical relationship between alumni advocacy and philanthropic support. Recent survey findings make it clear: alumni who actively promote their alma mater are much more likely to be current or future donors, compared to their less vocal peers. Advocacy Drives Philanthropy Alumni who consistently champion […]
The Post-College Reality: How Young Alumni Really Feel About Their College Experience

Over the last twenty years, through the Alumni Attitude Study, the team at PEG. Ltd has collected insightful data on alumni perceptions. Recent surveys have uncovered a noteworthy trend among college graduates: individuals in their early and mid-stages of their careers tend to express less satisfaction with their decision to attend their alma mater than those […]