Tech + Trends for New Alumni: The Shift In Engagement

Tech + Trends for New Alumni

In a recent webinar hosted by PeopleGrove, Jason Langdon, Senior VP of Customer Success, and Tyler McCoy, Customer Success Manager, explored the latest tech and trends shaping alumni engagement. With experience in enrollment, student affairs, and alumni relations, they discussed how institutions can adapt to shifting expectations, leverage technology, and create meaningful connections with their newest graduates.

Their insights make one thing clear: traditional alumni engagement strategies no longer work—institutions must evolve to meet alumni where they are.

The Future of Alumni Engagement: Meeting New Graduates Where They Are

Alumni engagement is evolving. Institutions can no longer rely on traditional methods—like phone calls and mass emails—to build lasting relationships with their graduates. Today’s young alumni expect seamless, digital-first interactions that provide real value.

Why Is Engagement Shifting?
The numbers tell a clear story:

• 87% of institutions struggle to engage younger alumni effectively.¹
• 77% recognize the need to update their technology to meet engagement goals.¹
• 71% of millennials check their phones within 10 minutes of waking up.²

The takeaway? If institutions want to foster long-term alumni connections, they need to embrace technology and personalization.

Building Digital Communities That Matter

One of the biggest challenges is that new alumni often feel disconnected shortly after graduation. To bridge this gap, institutions should:

• Start engagement before graduation through student-alumni mentorship and career networking.
• Leverage micro-communities based on interests, career fields, or location.
  Make alumni platforms mobile-friendly to ensure easy access to resources and networking.

The Role of AI and Personalization

AI is transforming how institutions connect with their alumni. By analyzing alumni preferences and behaviors, schools can:

• Deliver personalized recommendations for networking and career opportunities.
• Automate outreach to engage unresponsive alumni.
• Use data insights to refine engagement strategies.

Measure, Adapt, and Grow

Tracking engagement is essential. Metrics like event attendance, volunteer participation, and digital interactions help institutions refine their approach and demonstrate impact.

Institutions that embrace these trends will create meaningful, lasting connections with their alumni. The question is—are you ready to adapt?

Learn more about PeopleGrove’s engagement solutions here.

Discover how PeopleGrove can help your institution create an engagement ecosystem that drives meaningful outcomes across the student-to-alumni lifecycle. Contact us today for a personalized consultation.