In this episode of the Alumni Podcast, Robert is joined by Jen Davis, Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations at Joliet Junior College. Jen shares her inspiring journey from a passion for teaching to her current role in leadership in Advancement. She discusses the importance of storytelling in connecting with alumni, the impact of grassroots fundraising, and the evolving role of alumni relations in higher education. Jen emphasizes the need for colleges to value alumni engagement as much as enrollment and highlights the success of the Roots and Branches podcast in fostering community and connection among alumni. Through her experiences, she illustrates how meaningful relationships and innovative approaches can create lasting impact in the world of alumni relations. 

In this episode, Katie Calvert-Jones, Head of Engagement at Kingswood School Bath and host of the Management Meets podcast, discusses her journey into alumni relations, the importance of alumni networks, and the evolving expectations of alumni engagement. She emphasizes the role of storytelling and community in fostering connections and highlights the impact of alumni on current students and the institution. The conversation also touches on the future of alumni relations and the significance of podcasting as a tool for engagement.

In this episode, Sarah's guest is Serena Mitchell, the Communications Manager at the Business School of the University of Sussex. With over 25 years of experience in alumni relations, communications, and public relations, she shares her insights on alumni engagement and the importance of communication campaigns in building strong alumni communities. Serena discusses her journey from central government communications to alumni relations, highlighting key milestones in her career. 

The discussion then moves to the launch of the Sussex Connect alumni engagement platform, the strategies for creating an effective launch plan, and the impact on alumni engagement. Serena highlights the importance of storytelling, sharing alumni success stories, planning and understanding your audience.

She also delves into the integration of Artificial Intelligence in alumni relations, describing it as an evolving tool to assist in data analysis and PR planning.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Christine Fairchild, an accomplished professional with 29 years of experience in alumni relations. Christine shares her journey from Harvard Business School to the University of Oxford, where she has served as the Alumni Director for 12 years.

Christine discusses the challenges and successes in cultivating strong alumni communities, emphasizing the importance of personalized engagement and continuous adaptation to changing alumni needs. 

Christine highlights the differences in alumni relations between the United States and the UK, emphasizing the shift towards a more data-driven and responsive approach. 

As Christine prepares to retire, she offers advice to her successor while reflecting on the remarkable impact of her three-decade career in alumni engagement.

Sarah is joined by Chris Marshall on this episode of Alumni Podcasts. Chris is an alumni engagement expert and founder of Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting. Chris shares the best practices and strategies he has found to be effective in cultivating strong and engaged alumni communities over his many years of experience. He also talks the changing landscape of alumni relations post COVID, key engagement metrics, innovating alumni relations in the digital age with AI, and his work with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Team Alumni Association as we lead up to the 2028 Olympic Games in LA.