Over the last 20 years, our team at PEG Ltd. has surveyed thousands of alumni, and a consistent theme has emerged. Time and again, alumni across life stages and demographics have expressed a strong desire to see the value of their degrees increase over time. We call this “equity of degree.” Alumni want to know that their investment is paying dividends, increasing in value throughout life.
It is heartening to hear university leaders articulate their understanding of what alumni seek from their alma mater. At the recent Alumni Professionals of Texas 2024 conference hosted by Texas State University, TSU President Dr. Kelly Damphousse shared a compelling insight. He believes that “alumni see themselves as shareholders”, underscoring the shared enterprise that is alumni engagement.
Here’s Rob Shoss, President and Managing Consultant of PEG, Ltd. describing the importance of value and respect for degree.
Alumni believe that value and respect for their degrees most impacts their opinion of their alma mater. Graduates think of their degree as an investment. Interestingly, though, a degree is different from other types of investments. Alumni can’t sell the degrees for profit and cash in on the investment. Degree holders keep this personal investment in education for life. So, throughout life alumni look towards their alma mater to make continued improvements.
In the fiercely competitive job market and the ever-evolving economy of today, the value of a degree has assumed unprecedented significance. Alumni are acutely aware that their educational credentials play a pivotal role in shaping their career prospects, earning potential, and overall professional success. This underscores the alumni’s keen interest in ensuring that their alma mater continues to deliver a high-quality education that equips graduates for the challenges of the modern workforce.
Degree equity is earned and defined by more than just how it translates into job opportunities. Alumni express through our Alumni Attitude Study that providing scholarships, creating a more inclusive environment, honoring traditions, new buildings, media visibility, athletic success, and faculty accomplishments all affect how they view their alma mater.
Although alumni rank these areas of consideration differently based on life stage and demographics, ultimately, they’re all factored together to create one opinion and an assessment of degree equity.
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