Meaningful Alumni Engagement - Without Asking for a Dime Learn how to recruit and retain alumni volunteers to be a part of your recruitment initiative MACRAO Conference November 10-12, 2010

Oakland University Overview Founded in 1957 as MSUO Charter class graduated in 1963 with 125 students receiving Oakland University diplomas Over 19,000 students with 134 undergraduate degrees offered

Undergraduate Admissions Overview OU undergraduate population: 15,530 OU grad level population: 3,523 Fall 2010 FTIAC: 2,311 Fall 2010 Transfer: 1,825 Reasons for collaboration: Alumni participation increases national recognition, yielding, and retention efforts

Alumni Relations Overview Over 84,500 alumni worldwide Nearly 60,000 alumni live within the state of Michigan No out-of-state annual Alumni Relations outreach initiatives Reasons for collaboration: AAAP Program initiated to strategically advance and creatively position Oakland University, while also providing a return on investment to address the economic issues

AAAP Mission The Mission of the AAAP is to meaningfully engage Oakland University alumni in the recruitment and retention of Undergraduate Admissions efforts

Five Strategies 1)Leverage Resources and Gain Buy-In from the Campus 2)Market your Initiatives to Alumni 3)Coordinate Volunteer Training and Recruitment Opportunities

Five Strategies 4) Maintain Alumni Involvement 5)Recognize and Reward Alumni Service to the University

1) Leverage Resources and Gain Buy-In from the Campus Alumni Faculty and Staff Outreach Academic Units Outreach Collaboration Outreach to Senior Students University Departments Recruiting and Retaining Students Grizzly Story Time Visit Program

Alumni Faculty and Staff Outreach Alumni Reception Academic Unit Recruitment Programs

Collaboration Outreach to Senior Students Senior Brunch Student Ambassadors

University Retention Efforts CORE Reception in Detroit Freshman Move - In

University Retention Efforts Student to Professional Conference Dinner with a Dozen Grizzlies

Grizzly Story Time Visit Program March Is Reading Month initiative Collaboration with Pre-College and PSA programs

Grizzly Story Time Visit Program Government Relations collaboration School of Education collaboration

2) Market your Initiatives to Alumni Web site and marketing materials Develop and build a strong relationship with communications and marketing unit Affinity groups and utilizing alumni data Align with Undergraduate Admissions strategies Testimonials and photos

AAAP Website Oakland.edu/aaap

Marketing Materials Points of Pride piece

Marketing Materials AAAP brochure

Communication Strategies Targeted Markets

Communication Strategies News StoriesWeb Banners

Social Media

Utilize Data Available Past Affinity Groups Student Leader Reception Student Organizations Student workers Student Alumni Association Hometown Grizzlies Utilizing Alumni Data Alumni Faculty and Staff employees Alumni who have volunteered at the University in the past Alumni who have attended an on campus / off campus event Social Media Alumni Parents Engagement Outreach Receptions

AAAP Aligned with Undergraduate Admissions for Strategic Engagement Outreach Alumni Engagement Receptions Leveraging Legacy Scholarships

AAAP Aligned with Undergraduate Admissions for Strategic Engagement Outreach Alumni Engagement Receptions Out-of-State Student Welcome Receptions

Testimonials and Photos Share Ambassadors experiences Brochures Receptions Web site Stories Use Photos and Stories to paint the picture Photo Slideshow Follow up story about the event –Highlight meaningful connections that were made Past photos to enhance upcoming opportunity

3) Coordinate Volunteer Training and Opportunities Training Align opportunities with Undergraduate Admissions recruitment strategies Listen to ambassador interests and respond Follow up

Training Training Binder Website Training Materials Face to Face Meetings Follow up

Face To Face Training Sessions Out-of-State Recruitment Outreach and Training Campus Tours and Personal Trainings

Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events College Fairs Teaming Up With Admissions Adviser at sanctioned fairs Out-of-state Independently

Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events On Campus Welcome Receptions Welcome Reception Alumni Keynote Speakers Welcome Reception Alumni Hosts

Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events On Campus Go For The Gold! Alumni Hosts hand out Prizes Alumni panelists share their OU story

Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events On campus group visits/connecting with their HS alma mater High School visit presentation/visiting their HS alma mater and community college attended

Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events Letter to Specific Communities to Specific Student with same Interest Grizzly Story Time Visit

4) Maintain Alumni Involvement Personal contact Ask for honest feedback and respond Maintain ambassadors trust and they will continue to support Share outcomes from their service Invitations that are not ALWAYS volunteer based Instill ownership

AAAP E-Newsletter

Maintain Involvement EvaluationShare Outcomes

5) Recognize and Reward Alumni Service to the University Certificate of appreciation Nominate ambassadors for OU Alumni Awards Annual Ambassador Night / invitations to university events Social media / letter of reference Faculty review letter / comments AAAP spotlight

Certificate of Appreciation signed by University President

Alumni Awards Banquet AAAP Ambassador received the 2009 Alumni Spirit Award

Recognition of Ambassadors Annual AAAP Appreciation Night Ambassador Spotlight Button on Multiple Websites

AAAP Return on Investment Out-of-state admits and orientation sign ups increased Over 300 ambassadors are engaged and have contributed over 500 volunteer hours of service Undergraduate Admissions out-of-state applications have doubled over the last 3 years Over 10,000 points of contact have been made with prospective students

AAAP Tracking Alumni contacts Measurable outcomes Event Ambassadors Ambassador hours of service Estimate points of contact by alumni at event Evaluations

Challenges Some college fairs do not permit alums How to handle alumni who do not fit the volunteer role

Contact Information oakland.edu/aaap Dawn Aubry Slowik Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Luke Fleer Associate Director of Alumni Engagement