1
Rochester Institute of Technology
Strategic Plan Dimension #7
Alumni Engagement: RIT for Life
Introduction
Dimension #7 Charge: Develop goals and strategies toward enhancing RIT alumni engagement over the next 10 years. Concepts
should be audacious, disruptive, and unique. Develop a plan that allows our alumni to have a deep relationship with the university
and express their pride and dedication to the university by sharing their time, experience, expertise and resources through
consistent, sustained participation in the life of the university. This enhanced relationship with alumni will enrich not only their own
lives beyond graduation but will also enhance the RIT experience for today’s student, while simultaneously increasing RIT’s global
prominence.
With this in mind, the overarching concept of Alumni Engagement is now encapsulated in the concept “RIT for Life.”
In order to accomplish this evolution in RIT’s history, a significant cultural shift must occur, and occur across all university
constituencies including: students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The following principles at the core of “RIT for Life”:





Enhance the student/alumni experience with a “cradle to grave” concept
Increase and reinforce personal contacts among faculty, staff, students, alumni
Provide recognition/reward for all constituents involvement in the connectivity process
Cultivate gratitude and a culture of philanthropy within the alumni body
Develop and embrace disruptive activities that will retain current students and encourage life-long alumni connectivity to the
university. Examples include:
o Continuing education
o Loyalty program
o Global service
When alumni are cultivated, involved, asked to volunteer, to speak, to serve, and to mentor they become engaged/re-engaged in
the university and are more likely to understand the university’s needs and provide support. “RIT for Life” will ultimately be a
revenue generator. In addition, RIT's alumni are the university's best ambassadors and, through their engagement, can be a force in
the recruitment of new students and retention of current students. A continuity of engagement from the moment students are
accepted, through their academic experience, and post- graduation will provide the basis for “RIT for Life.”
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Task Force Deliverable: Part I
(Table A)
PRIMARY DIMENSION: ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
SECONDARY DIMENSION: CULTURAL SHIFT; RIT FOR LIFE
Goal I: RIT will establish a campus-wide culture that embraces alumni and incorporates alumni into the daily operation of the
university.
Strategy
1a. Incentivize campus community to engage
with alumni. Faculty and staff focus on what is
measured and are encouraged to participate in
activities that are encouraged and rewarded. By
incorporating alumni engagement in service
requirements of faculty and through faculty and
staff recognition programs, campus members will
find new opportunities for engagement.
1b. Cultivate a sense of lifelong belonging and
passion for the RIT brand from the very first day
we engage a student. From admissions through
orientation and throughout the total college
experience, special attention should be paid to
create a welcoming and lifelong relationship with
future alumni.
1
$$$ = > $5M
$$ = $1M - $5M
$ = < $1M
2 Choices are provided on p. 4 of this document.
Associated
Dimensions
Responsible
Unit(s)
Implementation
Sequence
Cost
Range1
In Place
By
Funding
Source2
Student
Success
Provost, Colleges,
Alumni Relations
#1
$
Jan. 2016
1
Organizational
Agility
Student Affairs,
Colleges, Alumni
Relations, Finance
#2
$
Fall 2016
1
3
1c. Establish a centralized campus-wide
alumni/student mentoring program that enables
alumni to serve the needs of current students
while also educating students about the
opportunities for future alumni engagement.
Student
Success
Alumni Relations,
Student Affairs,
Colleges
1d. Expand the Advisory Board volunteer
opportunities for alumni across campus and align
the responsibilities with the growing needs of the
campus. Provide centralized training and
recognition of these key volunteers.
Student
Success
Alumni Relations,
Co-op/Career ,
Research, Colleges
1e. Establish an Alumni Loyalty Program that
recognizes and rewards those who Engage,
Volunteer, Mentor, Give, and Promote. Use loyal
membership as a launch pad for leadership roles.
Student
Success
(Students can
be members)
Alumni Relations,
Development,
Colleges
#3
$
July 2017
7
#3
$
July 2015
3
#4
$
Jan. 2016
7 – initial
outlay
9 – selffunding via
increased
donations
4
PRIMARY DIMENSION: ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
SECONDARY DIMENSION : RIT for Life; Lifelong Learning
Goal 2: RIT will be a catalyst for lifelong learning and provide a lifetime of career preparation by offering online courses (free of charge)
and certifications (at discounted rate) to alumni in relevant and strategic topics.
Strategy
Associated
Dimensions
Responsible
Unit(s)
Implementation
Sequence
Cost
Range3
In Place
By
Funding
Source4
2a. Offer a limited number of credit hours and
limited number of slots in online courses for free
and certifications at a discounted rate in strategic
fields to alumni to build skills for their current
careers or to assist with a change in career
 Establish credit system (certificates,
badges, etc.)
2b. Conduct a communications campaign directed
at alumni on available lifelong services (courses
and track certifications/certificates, career
services, access to campus facilities and services,
etc. ) to raise awareness and reconnect alumni to
RIT. Ensure the university’s ability to respond to
increased traffic in these areas with any necessary
resources.
Student
Success
Provost, Colleges,
Alumni Relations,
ILI
#1
$
Jan. 2015
1/7 (to be
part of a
competitive
set of ILI
offerings)
Alumni Relations,
Co-op/Career
Services, ILI
#2
$
July 2017
7
3
$$$ = > $5M
$$ = $1M - $5M
$ = < $1M
4 Choices are provided on p. 4 of this document.
Student
Success
5
PRIMARY DIMENSION: ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
SECONDARY DIMENSION: RIT FOR LIFE; GLOBAL VISIBILITY AND SERVICE
Goal 3: Increase alumni engagement nationally and globally by inviting alumni to participate jointly in family-friendly charitable
activities.
Strategy
Associated
Dimensions
Responsible
Unit(s)
Implementation
Sequence
Cost
Range5
In Place
By
Funding
Source6
3a. Establish RIT’s Global Day of Service, the
second Saturday in September, focusing on
sustainability and the environment. Initiate with a
minimum of alumni 10 chapters as well as RIT
students and staff on all RIT campuses worldwide.
Incorporate service learning aspects for current
students.
Student
Success
Alumni Relations,
University News,
Academic Affairs
(“Student
Learning”)
#1
$
Sept. 2014
3
same
#2
$
Annually in
September
3
3b. Expand Global Day of Service program
annually, reaching additional cities, chapters and
alumni worldwide.
Global
Funding Source Choices:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
5
Reallocation of budget dollars within college/department/division
Reallocation of budget dollars between colleges/departments/divisions
Existing budget
Capital campaign
Grant (specify name and whether we have received award)
Endowment
Central funds
Tuition
Other
$$$ = > $5M
$$ = $1M - $5M
$ = < $1M
6 Choices are above of this document.