In an effort to leverage students' positive community engagement experiences as they transition to and become alumni, Portland State University (PSU) embarked on a pilot "Continuing Engagement Program." This article provides a rationale for this effort, an overview of the programmatic elements, lessons learned, and future engagement…

As an educational leadership department chair or college of education dean you are increasingly facing the need to cut budgets and try to develop funds to keep your academic programs afloat. The use of oral history with your education alumni can serve as a way to bridge and remind both the institution and the former graduates of the value the…

Discusses a comprehensive alumni program at Allegheny College that provides undergraduates with early exposure to potential careers. Describes the successful initiatives as well as program components that were abandoned after the pilot stage. (GCP)

Describes how MIT, Stanford, and Rensselaer are systematically mining the "knowledge capital" of their graduates to support more than just the efforts of the advancement division and traditional partners such as admissions and career services. They are developing comprehensive programs that help link alumni volunteers with every unit…

In order to have recent graduates respond to requests for funds and volunteer support, it is thought that the "alumni habit" should start with current students. Many institutions have organized alumni relations projects. Eight college and university student-alumni programs are described, including Clemson, Cornell, Northwestern, Yale, Michigan,…

Alumni colleges, sometimes called learning vacations or vacation colleges, offer a classroom experience built around an intellectual theme with trips, workshops, sightseeing, and cultural excursions, and are packaged to include room and board. Examples of programs offered at various colleges are described. (JMD)

Describes programs used by universities to help their alumni find jobs. Some of the tactics used by the schools include career seminars, career development classes, electronic services, job fairs, career placement, career counseling, and resume services. Also includes ten steps for designing successful seminars. (RJM)

The rationale, strategies, and methods of The Mercy College Self-Study Project are considered, and evaluation instruments are provided. This program of institutional evaluation and planning was initiated in 1980 and consists of: standardized surveys, a 10-year longitudinal (panel) study, and academic department self-studies. Questionnaires…

Ways that colleges can supplement a liberal arts program with courses, internships, and advice to bridge the gap between education and work are addressed in an essay and descriptions of college programs. David R. Hiley discusses dilemmas faced by students and the need for faculty to consider career advising as part of their responsibility in the…

The quality of education in small colleges is considered, and Brunswick Foundation's Small College Program is described. After an overview concerning problems of small colleges (those with enrollments of 2,000 and less), attention is directed to the Small College Program, which provides grants to reward colleges undertaking exceptional action…

Fitchburg State College (Massachusetts), a comprehensive public college, initiated restructuring using Total Quality Management (TQM) techniques in December 1992. The effort's mission was to increase communication, to identify barriers to defined goals and service to students, and to find ways to overcome those barriers. Two surveys followed the…