Big Ten Alumni Relations Institute

Longaberger Alumni House

• 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Hospitality suite and optional programming (shuttle service provided from the Blackwell)
  • One-on-one coffee chats with fellow attendees
  • Tours of The Ohio State University featuring public art and key locations throughout campus
  • Wellness walks from the Blackwell to Longaberger and back
  • 10 a.m. Special appearance from Buckeye Paws
  • 11 a.m. Relaxation yoga led by the Office of Student Life, Recreational Sports

The Blackwell Inn and Conference Center

• 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Conference registration and name badge pick-up at the Blackwell
• 1 p.m. Welcome remarks
• 1:15 p.m. Get to know your fellow attendees!
• 2 p.m. Featured session: No Hero Like You: Building Trust Through Story
  
  In this session, you'll practice two neuroscientific methods for building trust with others. The first method will help you create a space where other people feel safe to share their personal narrative. The second method will help you see, better than they do, what is unique about their life story.
  
  Angus Fletcher (PhD, Yale) is a professor at Ohio State’s Project Narrative. His research with US Army Special Forces and Joint Special Operations University into up-training visionary leadership, psychological antifragility and intuitive teamwork has been called “mind-blowing” by Malcolm Gladwell, “life-changing” by Brené Brown and “revolutionary” by some of the world’s top neuroscientists.  
       
• 3 p.m. Break 
• 3:30 p.m. Various breakout rooms at the Blackwell
  • Highlighting Faculty & Alumni Expertise Through Events and Storytelling
    • Events can be the perfect opportunity to highlight your school’s faculty and alumni experts. When you feature experts at your events, you can amplify the impact with storytelling to create a more impactful experience. In this session, we will discuss strategies for creating meaningful engagement touchpoints, identifying speakers and collaborating with internal and campus partners. We will share examples from UW–Madison but come ready to share your own experiences and best practices! Presenters: McKenzie Glynn-Zdrale, Managing Director, Enrichment Programs, Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association, Kate Prehn, Managing Director, Advancement Programs, Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association
  • How to Drive Decision Making with Data Analytics KPIs/Metrics for Engagement
    • The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan invested in data driven decision-making through people, processes and technology, including through an automated engagement score model and dashboard utilizing the CASE engagement framework. In this session, we will talk you through how we built the model; showcase our dashboard that allows us to break down engagement across demographics and other activity metrics; and most importantly, explain the impact of this data as a KPI for driving action and increasing conversions. Presenter: Caitlin Glimco, MA, Director of Data and Product Analytics - Alumni Association of the University of Michigan
  • A Commitment to University Wide Advancement Professionals: Indiana University Alumni Association's Alumni Engagement Conference 
    • Learn from Indiana University Alumni Association staff as they share their experience hosting an annual conference for alumni engagement staff at Indiana University. The Alumni Engagement Conference is an annual gathering of advancement professionals from all nine IU campuses. This one-day conference is designed to build peer-to-peer community, share alumni engagement best practices and learn from industry experts on relevant topics like communication and event strategies, maximizing volunteer opportunities and giving. Presenters: Rachael Jones McAfee, Managing Director of Alumni Relations, Indiana University Alumni Association; Natalie Meador, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, Indiana University Alumni Association
  • Sustaining Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Initiatives in a Time of DEI Backlash
    • DEI is under attack. It’s no secret that anti-DEI rhetoric and actions are targeting higher education DEI efforts nationwide. This backlash has forced alumni relations professionals to react to these repressive social forces and precariously navigate DEI advocacy while balancing personal safety and well-being. This presentation will provide (1) techniques for you to address and overcome anti-DEI actions and comments, (2) individual and social advocacy tactics to sustain your current DEI initiatives and (3) practices for you to prioritize self-care and combat burnout. This presentation will also provide space for you to listen and share experiences (both good and bad) so we can collectively support each other in our pursuit to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the alumni relations and engagement profession. Presenters: Nathan Hé (He/They) Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, University of Nebraska; Jordan Gonzales (He/Him) Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Senior Diversity Officer, University of Nebraska
• 4:30 p.m. Break 
• 5–6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception at Longaberger Alumni House (shuttle service provided from the Blackwell) 

Following the reception, The Ohio State University Alumni Association has made dinner reservations at some of our favorite off-campus restaurants. These dine-around dinners are optional and on your own. Seize the per diem!

The Ohio Union

• 8–9 a.m. Breakfast in the Performance Hall and Potter Plaza (shuttle service provided from the Blackwell)
• 9–9:45 a.m. Featured session: How to Have Difficult Conversations about DEI
  
  Negotiation expert Kwame Christian’s motto is: "The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations." Kwame, whose most recent book is titled How to Have Difficult Conversations about Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond, will share with us the strategies and tactics necessary to be successful in tough conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion.
  
  Kwame Christian, Esq., M.A. is an attorney, bestselling author, professor, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute (ANI) and host of the #1 negotiation podcast in the world, Negotiate Anything.  Following the viral success of his 2016 TED Talk, Finding Confidence in Conflict, Kwame has lent his expertise to dozens of media outlets, C-suite leadership for Fortune 500 companies like NASA, Target and Apple and millions of people across the globe. Kwame is a three-time Ohio State alumnus and the recipient of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs Young Alumni Achievement Award (2020), the College of Law Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award (2021) and most recently the Ohio State Alumni Association’s William Oxley Thompson Award (2023).
   
• 10–11 a.m. Various breakout rooms at the Ohio Union
  • Let's Talk About Incorporating Engagement Goals into Comprehensive Campaigns 
    • Is it just me, or does it seem like we’re always in a campaign? As the numbers get bigger and bigger and expectations balloon, one question is repeatedly asked: what about engagement goals? In this session, hear how the University of Iowa meets this challenge head-on. We’ll discuss metrics, getting buy-in and how to frame the story so it resonates with everyone. Presenters: Jenn Brummond, Executive Director, Campus and Volunteer Engagement, The University of Iowa Center for Advancement; Molly Torchia, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, Regional Programs, The University of Iowa Center for Advancement
  • Enhancing the Work of Alumni Volunteers with Digital Engagement
    • This session explores two types of digital engagement that enhance the work alumni volunteers are already doing. Becca Young, Social Media Manager at The Ohio State Alumni Association, will share how alumni groups use social media resources to create online community as well as increase the visibility of in-person programming. Erin Hagen, Senior Associate Director of Alumni Engagement at the University of Oregon Alumni Association, will share how UOAA utilizes an online yearbook platform, BrightCrowd, to increase the reach of UO Cultural, Identity and Affinity Groups. Attendees will have the opportunity to create their own BrightCrowd pages. Presenters: Erin Hagen, Senior Associate Director, Alumni Engagement, University of Oregon Alumni Association; Becca Young, Social Media Manager, The Ohio State Alumni Association
  • Creative Engagement Strategies
    • Join us as we share fresh ideas for engaging alumni in 2024 and beyond. Discover how Ohio State creates meaningful connections by implementing innovative, non-traditional offerings to engage thousands of alumni near and far. Explore how the University of Minnesota has evolved its virtual programming to stay relevant with rising Zoom fatigue. Glean actionable strategies and inspiration as we collectively chart the course for the future of alumni engagement in a post-pandemic world. Presenters: Lindsay Seminara, Associate Manager, Constituent Experiences Event Operations, The Ohio State University Office of Advancement; Marissa Smith, Associate Vice President of Engagement, University of Minnesota Alumni Association 
  • The Value of Supporting Alumni (and each other) through Career and Mentoring Initiatives
    • We all know that alumni career support and mentorship are two engagement pillars that are not going away. Research shows that the more we can provide meaningful and impactful experiences in their professional and personal lives, the more they are willing to give back to their alma mater. Join this session to learn (and share!) best practices on career and mentorship programs, strategies and initiatives, including:
      • mentorship circles
      • self-serve/on-demand resources
      • lifelong learning programs
  • You'll leave this session with: 
    • New/refreshed program ideas that work and have brought in great ROI for your fellow Big10 colleagues
    • Ideas/feedback on your current challenges and focus areas
    • A reinvigorated sense of focus and strategic alignment to career and mentorship
    • New contacts to connect with to ask for and offer help in the immediate future
      
      Presenters: Ellie Geraghty, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Outreach, University of Maryland Alumni Association; Bobby Dunlap, Director, Alumni Engagement, Northwestern University; Marilyn Rice, Director of Alumni Career Management, The Ohio State University Alumni Association  
• 11 a.m. Break
• 11:15 a.m. Roundtables
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch 
• 1 p.m. Featured session: Integrating AI into Alumni Engagement Strategy
  
  Data analysis and insights have allowed us to engage our alumni and constituents in new ways, but personalized communication and engagement strategies can catapult us toward the KPIs that we are after in alumni engagement. Personalized communication will move the needle toward greater engagement, especially if combined with adaptive learning that can learn from personalized email behavior to produce further personalization and deliverability. Going beyond application, this presentation will discuss what an AI-first strategy for alumni engagement looks like and delve deeper into the framework of and preparedness for AI. 
  
  Amir Mansour is the Senior Director of Business Intelligence for University Relations at the University of Maryland and is currently working on the AI Commission for the University of Maryland, focusing on exploring AI applications in alumni relations, advancement and external communications.
   
• 2 p.m. Break
• 2:15 p.m. Various breakout rooms at the Ohio Union
  • Education Programs Greatest Hits
    • Finding the right music to engage listeners of varying ages can be challenging. The University of Iowa will spin some of their favorite tunes (including Eight Over 80, Write Now Contests and the Solar Eclipse project) that have jived with alumni and friends. In addition, we will open the dance floor for you to share your university’s favorite moves (events), too. Presenters: Erin Brokel, Associate Director, Alumni Engagement, University of Iowa Center for Advancement; Holly Jones, Associate Director, Alumni Engagement, Educational Programs, University of Iowa Center for Advancement
  • Annual Alumni Surveys: Making the Data Work for You 
    • Surveys are a valuable means for engaging alums in a way that is mutually beneficial for the participants and the association. This session will delve into the importance of annual surveys from start to finish. You will learn techniques for building a survey people actually want to take, tips for crafting questions that get to the heart of what you want to know and recommendations for analyzing your survey data to get results that you can use. When you make the survey data work for you, you have the power to shape the future of your alumni engagement and philanthropic strategy while providing a meaningful way for alums to give back to their alma mater. Presenter: ChristieLyn Diller, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement & Fundraising, University of Maryland Alumni Association  
  • Diversifying the Alumni Relations Profession and Leadership Pipeline
    • Are you interested in leading an alumni association in the future? Are you curious about the diversity within the alumni relations profession? This presentation synthesizes data gathered from a comprehensive research study and provides current racial and gender demographics of chief alumni officers and mid-to-senior level alumni relations professionals in the United States. Insights include challenges that women and racially diverse individuals face within the alumni relations profession regarding promotion and advancement opportunities, as well as how you can grow and thrive professionally in the alumni relations field. Disclaimer: This research was generously financed by the Council of Alumni Association Executives’ Innovation Grant Fund. Presenter: Jordan Gonzales (He/Him) Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Senior Diversity Officer, University of Nebraska
  • Harnessing the Power of Affinity Groups for Dynamic Alumni Engagement
    • In this session, we will outline existing strategies for engaging affiliate and identity-based alumni groups at UCLA and Northwestern. We will highlight successful practices at our respective institutions, both structural and programmatic. This session will seek to provide examples of practical tools and practices for fostering a vibrant and inclusive alumni network while leaving ample space for discussion and sharing of successes at other Big Ten institutions. Presenters: Bobby Dunlap, Director, Alumni Engagement, Northwestern University; Louisa Kunzler, Senior Associate Director, Volunteer Engagement, Northwestern University; Cory Rosas, Director, Alumni Diversity Programs and Initiatives, UCLA
• 3:15 p.m. Break
• 3:30 p.m. One-on-one coffee chats / campus tours 
• 4:30 p.m. Break (shuttle service provided to the Blackwell and then to Ohio Stadium for Reception)

Ohio Stadium

• 5–7 p.m. Evening reception featuring tours of historic Ohio Stadium led by stadium ushers and an exclusive hands-on experience with the highly anticipated return of College Football 25 from EA Sports, led by Ohio State's very own Esports program representatives. 

The Blackwell Inn and Conference Center

• 8:30 a.m. Breakfast in the Blackwell Ballroom
• 9:30 a.m. Various Breakout Rooms at the Blackwell
  • Alum from Day 1: Educating Students on the Alumni Experience
    • More than one thing can be true: finding ways to engage every prospective, admitted and current student from day one is hard AND this form of student engagement is critical to our mission of fostering a culture of loyal and connected alumni. This session will help you reimagine student engagement and share ideas on how to effectively collaborate with key campus units, such as the Division of Student Affairs, Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Office of the President, to create intentional programs that connect students with alumni from the day they are admitted to the university through the day they walk across the stage at Commencement. Examples of programs include our award-winning M Book, Terps Under 30, Grad Bash, Senior Class Gift program and more.  Presenter: Jessica Lee, Director of Engagement and Outreach, University of Maryland Alumni Association 
  • Engagement Strategy by Life Stages
    • Affinity research conducted by the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association showed opportunities to increase engagement efforts in two alumni life stages – ages 22-28 and 41-54. In this session, we will highlight learnings from our affinity research and share the results of our targeted efforts to these two life stages. We will share our strategies and give examples of successful engagement initiatives. Presenter: Lindsay Rose, Program Manager, Advancement Programs, Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association
  • Magic Moments: Enchanting Alumni Engagement through Personalization 
    • In this facilitated discussion, we delve into the power of personalization in alumni engagement. The ability to tailor interactions and communications can significantly impact engagement levels. We will share various strategies, from leveraging data analytics to understanding alumni preferences, to creating magic moments that foster long-term relationships. There will be ample time for attendees to share what works at their respective institutions and how to build a more personalized alumni experience. Presenters: Yari Gallegos (She/Her), Assistant Director Alumni Engagement, Northwestern Alumni Association; Jackie Thomas (She/Her), Senior Associate Director Alumni Engagement, Northwestern Alumni Association; Hayley Wozny (She/Her), Assistant Director Alumni Engagement, Northwestern Alumni Association
• 10:30 a.m. Break
• 10:45 a.m. Panel on Future of Alumni Relations in the Blackwell Ballroom
• 11:45 a.m. Closing remarks from Molly Ranz Calhoun, President and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association 
• Noon to 1 p.m. Conference concludes 
  • Boxed lunches to-go (starting at 10 a.m.) or sit in Blackwell Ballroom or outdoor pavilion to continue networking and eating with colleagues