Sharpest Scalpel Interview with Andreh Khachaturians, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations( continued)
interesting content; items that will pique folks’ interests but also helps motivate interactions among alumni. A second challenge as it relates to CDU is outreach. This has to do with making sure we are employing all available tools efficiently and effectively to reach out to alumni no matter where they are located regionally and nationwide. We have recently subscribed to a number of platforms that we hope will assist us to raise our voices for our alumni and the CDU community.
Another challenge pertains to alumni availability. Our wonderful alumni are out in the world saving lives and making a difference and, as a consequence, it is more challenging to engage them with CDU. So, I’ ve taken a steady and patient approach when trying to connect alumni back to campus. It’ s been my experience that maintaining a consistent flow of communication with alumni helps strengthen bonds and cultivates trust as we build mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships that turns disconnected alumni into actively engaged alumni.
What are some of the objections being voiced?
I have found in my 20 + years in alumni and development work that those who take time to give feedback, often care the most. So, I would 100 % of the time prefer an alumnus to tell me what they don’ t like or a difficult experience they have encountered than those who slowly pull away. Having been in this role close to a year now, many of the alumni that I have met virtually or in-person tell me that they don’ t have time to be involved. Our alumni are out there making a difference and sometimes it is difficult to get involved. And some who want to be involved are unable because of their locations. And yes, some also tell me about their not so good experiences as students. And my goal is to listen and try to find a path forward.
How are you addressing these challenges?
By compiling and presenting a diverse list of meaningful and engaging opportunities to alumni. For example, our AlumniConnect program provides speaking opportunities to alums in a virtual or in-person format. This one-hour event allows us to engage highly busy, out-of-region alumni during a time when it is convenient for them. This event may serve as the initial gateway to get them involved and based on their positive experience we may continue to build their engagement. Our CDU alumni mentorship program, which recently had record-breaking numbers of alumni applicants, creates instances for alumni to directly impact a current student’ s educational and professional journey. This program is hybrid as well, giving those alumni who do not live in the region the opportunity to give back.
How are you locating alums, particularly those who have not been CDU-connected for some time?
My favorite way, and I think the most fruitful, is meeting alumni and asking them to introduce me to CDU alumni in their networks. It allows me to get personal perspectives and gain knowledge about the transformative ways our alumni are impacting the world. Additionally, we are using LinkedIn to identify alumni and when possible, we attend conferences and events to connect with alumni. A good example of this is our recent alumni and friend reception in Atlanta, Georgia during our visit at the 2022 National Medical Association conference. We were able to reengage several alumni, one of whom, Dr. Adrienne Mims, recently presented her work on dementia and Alzheimer’ s at CDU last month.
Is there a need to sell alums on the benefits and value of a sustained relationship? What are the benefits and value as you see it?
I don’ t think it’ s necessarily selling the benefits and value but rather creating quality programming and engagement that we offer that will help create a sustained relationship. And that’ s why we are emphasizing those two things, engagement and programing, in our strategic pillars. If I were to try to“ sell” the values and benefits to alumni, I would say getting involved with CDU gives you the opportunity to garner connections with individuals who had the same experience as you.
Your involvement sets an example for current students to give back to the community. It shows your pride in CDU. Your diploma or certificate is the only paper that will travel with you anywhere you go. A document that will never lose value. Your involvement increases the value of your degree because alumni engagement is one of several qualities used to rank universities in the US. And lastly, and this is why I participate in alumni activities at my alma mater, it just feels good. The satisfaction of knowing that you helped a student or a program grow benefits those who will step in our shoes once we are gone. Investing time, talent, and treasure in our future will benefit us all.
How do you build value and cultivate interest?
Often is by doing one simple thing, listening. By reaching out to alumni, surveying them, and implementing a program that is of interest to them based on their feedback. Our students also play a major role in value building and cultivating interest. Since they are our“ alumni-in-waiting”, we want to expose them early to various opportunities before they leave so they are engaged and involved from the get-go.
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My favorite way, and I think the most fruitful, is meeting alumni and asking them to introduce me to CDU alumni in their networks. It allows me to get personal perspectives and gain knowledge about the transformative ways our alumni are impacting the world.
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CDU College of Medicine | PG. 30