Factors Influencing Alumni Engagement

Although these studies clarify the type of factors that influence alumni financial donations to a university, unfortunately they do not give a clear distinction in terms of physical engagement. It may be possible that similar factors affect engagement. This is an explicit gap in the research. However in reviewing research by Newman and Petrosko (2011), it is noted that graduates are more likely to join alumni associations if they fall into the one of the following categories: (a) were donors, (b) were relatively older, (c) had positive experiences as alumni, (d) had positive perceptions of the alumni association, (e) were more frequently involved with their alma mater, and (f) knew other members in the association. Participating in an alumni …show more content…
Although factors such as residency, age, year of graduation are important, campus experiences and relationships are at the top of the scale when determining factors that influence alumni engagement. Alumni satisfaction is also critical to giving and engagement. There are many strategies that can be used to influence these particular factors in alumni engagement, especially for Black students attending PWIs. One must consider reasons why Black students choose to be involved, why they choose to give, what is their perceived role as alumni and how their campus experiences influence these …show more content…
Programs can be developed to build strong relationships between Black students, Black student organizations and the Black alumni association. As the literature has shown, alumni with positive feelings for their alma mater tend to make donations to the institution. It is also possible that these positive feelings may increase alumni engagement. This increase in alumni engagement will ultimately have a positive impact on the experiences of current Black students on campus. By encouraging stronger relationships between Black students and alumni, we can expect that these students will be active alumni in the future. We can also expect Black students to have better experiences on campus. It is a cyclical relationship. Active alumni can intervene when there are difficult situations on campus and provide support. Finally, this increase in alumni engagement may also lead to increased donations to the institution, which in the end will benefit everyone. The results of this research will be instrumental to the activities and goals of alumni affairs and student affairs offices