Most of the Higher Educational Institutions have been focusing on building a thriving Alumni community for its success, which comes with robust Alumni Engagement. Alumni would definitely chime in to take pride in their Almamater but constantly engaging them meaningfully can be a critical task.
With technology intervening in Alumni Relations, Engagement has become a lot easier but it couldn’t eliminate some of the common challenges that are faced. The development of certain Alumni leveraging platforms has become a powerful medium in reinventing Alumni relations and overcoming challenges involved in building and maintaining a stronger institution-alumni relationship.
Let’s have a look at Major Challenges & their Solutions –
Diverse Alumni Demographics
Alumni come from different backgrounds, generations, locations, and experiences, they have unique interests and needs as well. Addressing the diversity challenge in Alumni engagement can be quite a task and requires a thoughtful and inclusive approach that ensures all alumni feel valued and connected.
An updated and segmented database based on criteria such as graduation year, branch, location, and engagement history helps tailor communication and engagement strategies to each segment’s preferences and needs. Having a robust online presence aids in choosing the right channels to reach out by understanding Alumni choices.
Data Management
Alumni data keeps on piling up with each year and Outdated data leads to missed opportunities, ineffective communication, and thus inactive engagement. Keeping accurate and up-to-date records of alumni contact information is essential to plan out events as per their interests.
Opt for Alumni Software with features like data validation, automation, user-friendly interface with a mobile app for Alumni to manage their own profiles and integration with communication tools. This allows customization of data thus allowing personalized notifications to enable the Institution’s communication to stay on point, improving engagement.
Random/Irrelevant Engagement
One of the biggest challenges is that Institutions find it tough to stay relevant and deliver value to Alumni by being too focused on their own priorities. Also, sending generic communication makes Alumni become dormant and not respond to regular communications.
Classify Alumni Personas and tailor communications to alumni’s interests, careers, and accomplishments. Enable discussion Boards and Interest Groups for Alumni to stay engaged among themselves. Adapt to changing trends and Personalize communication as per their preferred methods, have a feedback mechanism like polls, and direct messaging access that reflects the commitment to accommodate alumni wishes.
Low returns for Alumni
No matter how much Alumni want to give back to the institution, a long-term relationship has to be two-sided. Along with leveraging Alumni for the benefit of the institution or current students, it is equally important to show high returns to Alumni with having engaged. Else, they would find it as an insignificant incentive to invest their time.
Offer continuing Education after graduation by providing Career advancement services like professional guidance workshops, Networking through sessions, and Mentorship opportunities by creating mentor-mentee groups and job boards with updates about openings. Create all-round value that would compel Alumni to not miss staying engaged.
Unsustainable and Short Term
Alumni engagement is not a one-time effort, it requires consistent and sustained interaction. Keeping alumni interested and engaged long after they have graduated can be a significant challenge.
Keep Alumni in the loop with constant communication about the relevant upgrades at the institution. Recognize successful Alumni and brand them, this motivates current students and younger Alumni as well as inculcates a sense of belonging to the Alumni making them come back. Organize meaningful events to stay in touch which can be Reunions, Guest Lectures, and Award givings that create keen interest in Alumni. Know the best practices to organize Alumni events HERE
The key to an Engaged Alumni Community is more of what the institution can offer to the Alumni rather than just asking them to stay connected. Addressing the challenges needs a well-rounded adapting engagement strategy that basically revolves around what can the institution do for the Alumni and how they can cater to the changing needs of Alumni. With these few things in mind, take the decisive step towards energizing your Institution – Alumni engagement.