afa presentation 2
TRANSCRIPT
NOT FOR FOUR YEARS BUT FOR LIFE: EFFECTIVELY HELPING GRADUATING MEMBERS TRANSITION INTO ALUMNI/AE
Tiffany ChanAnna Takahama
INTRODUCTIONS
Tiffany Chan, Delta ZetaB.A Psychology 2008, UNC-WilmingtonM.S. College Student Development & Counseling 2011, Northeastern University
Anna Takahama, Gamma Phi BetaB.A. Art 2008, Bridgewater State University M.S. College Student Development & Counseling, 2011, Northeastern University
LEARNING OUTCOMES We want to help professionals better support
their graduating members through their transition into alumni/ae status
We believe there is some disconnect during the transition, and we want provide some insight for professionals in how to support their graduating members.
THEORIES Astin’s Theory of Student Involvement
For student growth to take place, students need to actively engage in their environment (Evans, Forney, & Guido-DiBrito, 1998, p. 27).
Schlossberg’s Transition theory Graduating members transitioning into post-
graduation life
PROCESS OF INTERVIEW Online Survey sent to approximately to 100
people 63 participants completed the online survey
(approx. 63% participation rate) 11 follow-up phone interviews
Three sets of questions for: graduate students student affairs professionals headquarters staff, and others
LOGISTICS Demographics of participants
72.5% Female 27.5% Male
National Panhellenic Council (NPC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), North-American Interfraternity Council (NIC), and Culturally Based Organizations were represented
32 Colleges/Universities were represented from 19 different states
“One issue is just sheer competition. As people get involved with lots of other activities, their attention begins to be drawn elsewhere, which is why we’re really ramping up the amount of programming that we’re doing and the amount of communications that we’re doing with our young alumni, because we want to get them engaged right away.” -Roger, 2010
“The goal is to make senior year the best of all years and have students leave with good memories”
-Schachter, 2010
COMMON THEMES AMONG GRADUATING MEMBERS Not feeling valued as a member/lack of voice Senior burn out/fade away Lack of relationships with younger members Time commitment Shift in priorities Petty issues within chapter
GRADUATE STUDENTS Positive Factors
Understanding values of brotherhood Lifelong commitment Being involved with greater FSL
community Relationships between new member
classes Programming for seniors Support from staff that work with FSL Leadership board made up of seniors
Negative Factors Sudden crisis (ex. death in chapter) Not prioritizing your needs in front of
chapter needs No alumni chapter in area Not feeling recognized from headquarters
as an individual chapter Time commitment Senior burn out/fade away LGBT tolerance issues
Keep Seniors Involved Positive experiences as a senior Use NPHC alumni involvement as a model Offer networking opportunities Utilize alumni for life after graduation Provide post graduate workshops such as
networking, job searching, resume critique
Transition Utilize NIC/Panhel to keep seniors
involved; infusing ideas from the top from headquarters and FSL communities
Allow recent alumni to be a formal mentor to a collegiate member
Communication between headquarters and individual collegiate chapters
Recruit seniors early to create a lasting impact
STUDENT AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS Positives
Feeling Valued Desire to see chapter
remain strong Professional exposure
Negatives Challenges for the
chapter within Focus life after
graduation Members at different
developmental stages Engagement
Keep seniors involved Positions for seniors Senior programming Advisor to undergrad
chapter Mentor programs with
current alums Meet/Greet Socials
Transition Connect graduating seniors
with alumni chapter Easy access to contact info Networking! National Organizations
early involvement
HEADQUARTERS STAFF AND OTHER Positives
Set high expectations from headquarters
Taking alumni relations chair position as a younger member
Stay involved in your senior year through continued leadership
Wanting to leave chapter better than when individual joined
Negatives The idea that seniors have put
in their time and there is no need to stay committed
Petty drama amongst chapter Age difference of seniors v. new
members
Keep Involvement Offer senior incentives to
continue living in the chapter house
Recent alumni who encouraged seniors to attend local alumni events
Transition Have travelling consultants
address the transition and how to stay involved as a graduated member
Co-sponsored large scale events such as founders day which include alumni and collegiate chapters to celebrate
INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY Please break into small groups to reflect on
your transition from collegiate member to alumni/ae.
Things to think about: How did you feel as a graduating member? What was your involvement? What programming events were available to
you?
IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS For Headquarters Staff/Alumni or Graduate
Chapters Early recruitment strategies/Presence Senior Programming Track
Offering programming targeting graduating seniors Example: Gamma Phi Beta’s Personal and Chapter
Enrichment (PACE) program for seniors Alumni Engagement
Webinars Regional workshops for alumni
IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS For Student Affairs Professionals & Graduate
Students Assessment of FSL juniors/seniors needs Educational resources targeting juniors/seniors
Utilize career services and alumni office support Newsletter for juniors/senior members in FSL
community Networking opportunities with FSL alumni with
graduating members Senior recognition Fraternity/Sorority Alumni Council
Examples: MIT’s and WPI’s alumni councils
IMPLICATIONS Research did not encompass all types of
fraternities/sororities
Convenient sampling created a mixture of responses because of varied expectations of NIC, NPC, NPHC, and Culturally Based Organizations
Both presenters are members of NPC sororities
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Anna Takahama
Tiffany [email protected]
If you are interested in a copy of this presentation, feel free to email us and we would be happy to send you the PowerPoint.
REFERENCES Komives, Woodard, & Associates. (2003). Student
Services: A Handbook for the Profession 2003 4th Edition.
Roger, C. (2010, September 10). Alumni Association engages undergraduates. The Tufts Daily. Retrieved from http://www.tuftsdaily.com/features/alumni-association-engages-undergraduates-1.2177533
Schachter, R. (2010). Welcome alumni. University Business, 61-64.