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April 09, 2007
Western Michigan University - Helping Young Alumni
When a student graduates from college, they have a myriad of responsibilities, worries, and stresses on their mind. If a graduate is relocating to a new state, they suddenly have even more to take into consideration. 17 percent of Americans move every year, and when they do, they face a series of hurdles and choices they need to make. From finding a new place to live, the appropriate schools, where to shop, what church to go to, and even locating a new job, the move can be overwhelming.
Western Michigan University recognizes this, and to help their graduating seniors with this tough time frame of their lives, they give them a free year of membership in their Alumni Association. By encouraging their young alumni to take advantage of the tools and services offered, Western Michigan University is paving the way for an easier transition from college life to real life.
Membership gives these graduating seniors valuable career connections, moving discounts, access to medical insurance, and the ability to stay connected with their alma mater. Also, by offering the first year of membership free, both alumni and the university come out ahead. Young alumni can use the tools and services offered for an entire year, at no cost, which means they are more likely to renew their membership when the first year ends. An active alumni force is important to all universities, so every member that renews is a bonus to Western Michigan University.
One way to enhance this already terrific service is if Western Michigan University taught their graduating students how to use the alumni online community as a transition tool. To do this, the university would need to seek out transition volunteers who would be willing to help the alumni in the community. In this way, graduating alumni and young alumni could locate them in the online directory and ask for help in getting around the community!
By offering a free year of membership, Western Michigan University is ensuring that their Alumni Association continues to grow and thrive. Plus, at the same time, they are helping their young alumni get a foothold into real life. This practice benefits all involved!
Posted by Don Philabaum on April 9, 2007 at 11:28 AM | Permalink
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I think offering Young Alumni the first year membership of the Alumni Association complimentary is a great idea especially if the retention rate is successful by university standards.
One thing that I am looking to do at Akron, since we do not charge membership fees, is create workshops for our young alumni that will give them a sort of support system after they graduate. A few examples of this would be Networking, Resume, Investment, and House/Apartment Hunting workshops.
I have a rule of thumb I follow which is similar to the approach of Western Michigan. The rule involves the importance of getting the Alumni involved early. It is so essential to get the involved before those young alumni become too busy and get disconnected and there is distance that is created in between them and the institution.
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