Alumni hiatus
Sometimes even alumni need a break
Dear Friends,
How time flies! Summer in Ireland was glorious this year and I took the opportunity to be outdoors hiking the trails and reconnecting with friends (and alumni!) new and old.
Taking a hiatus from Alumni Friday was not intentional. I knew it was too long when I started getting questions from my gentle friends here wondering if they were off the list. That was not the case!
It got me thinking: do we take an alumni hiatus as personal? When an engaged alum suddenly goes quiet, doesn't RSVP to an event or misses an alumni committee meeting, it is easy to wonder: is it us? Did we (the institution!) do something wrong. Like my own hiatus, it was not a slight, it was a plight. For me, the plight wasn't negative, but a full reinvention - more announcements of exciting developments to come!
Remember: Our alumni have lives outside of their alma mater. They still love you!
The timing could simple be off.
Don't "over engagement metric" the situation!
Your challenge this week:
For alumni-facing professionals: Is a prominent alumni leader pulling back? Ask: how can you help support them to find alumni engagement that best suits them at this time in their life? Or more broadly reflect on these questions: Are we expecting too much from alumni of a certain age cohort? What else might be going on in their lives that takes priority? How can your alumni program meet them where they are right now?
For students and alumni: Did YOU have a hectic August (and September)? How can you reconnect with your alma mater that offer you benefit and the institution too?
I am diving back in!
30th September, Budapest: for a Tempus Public Foundation hosted workshop for Hungarian alumni professionals
9th October, online - worldwide: Cultural Vistas Alumni Summit storytelling workshop with Lombe Tembo (ORCID)
12th November, Elche, Spain: a workshop for Spanish alumni professionals hosted by their local network
2nd December, online - Europe: HEROES European Alliance alumni workshop
What a way to end 2025!
More events in 2026 to be announced soon!
Are you interested in having me speak or organise a bespoke workshop for your alumni-facing professionals (or your students and alumni on networking!)? Hit reply or book a time to discuss here.
Yours with rejuvenated alumni spirit,
Maria
Photo: EAIE alumnae together again! My dear friend Karin Bennmarker and I enjoyed time in the Swedish summer (including foraging one of my favourite pastimes!) If you haven't already my reflections of the work side of my trip see the post here - and let's connect on LinkedIn!
