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2020 Alumni Leader and Volunteer Conference

Couldn’t make it to the Alumni Leaders Conference? Need a refresher? Find the content you’re looking for in our ALC archive.

2020 Archives

This year was our first-ever virtual conference. Thank you so much to everyone who was able to join us! If you missed any of our sessions, check out conference recordings below.

Keynote
Keynote w/Matt Folk Matt Folk, president and CEO of Purdue for Life Foundation and vice president for university advancement and alumni engagement for Purdue University, will discuss the Purdue for Life Foundation’s integrated advancement model designed to deepen ties to alumni and drive and coordinate all alumni-facing activities for the University. Watch it on YouTube

Events
Altering Events Due to COVID-19 Emily Richter, director of alumni events; Christopher Pullins, assistant director of alumni events; Jimmy Cox, director of student-alumni programming; and Maureen Huffer Landis, director of alumni career advancement, will share tips, tricks, and best practices for altering your in-person events during a worldwide pandemic. Watch it on YouTube
Boilermaker Bragging Networking Session: Events Share best practices and learn from other volunteer leaders about planning and hosting engaging in-person and virtual events. Idlir Proseku (M’03), Purdue Alumni Network of Toronto and Andreas Dewald (MS T’18), Purdue Alumni Network of Germany, will share their experiences hosting social events virtually, including pub quiz style trivia events using various technology platforms. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Virtual Events and Virtual Fundraising Fred McCracken, president of the Purdue Alumni Club of Hendricks County, will provide insights for planning and executing successful virtual events and discuss ideas for virtual fundraising efforts. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)

Leadership
College Alumni Board — Utilizing the Resources You Have Amber Watkins (Krannert School of Management) and Andrea Hatch (College of Liberal Arts) will discuss ways that college alumni boards can support the efforts of their schools and colleges, even with limited resources. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Give to Grow: How Nonprofit Engagement Benefits Self, Career, and World Have you wondered how your involvement in nonprofit work can benefit you individually and professionally? Hillary Gramm, chair of the Houston chapter of the International Council of Purdue Women, has devoted her career to the nonprofit sector and will discuss the impact that reaches far and wide. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Leading in a Time of Social Unrest Maria Whipple, assistant director of regional outreach, will lead a panel of diversity and inclusion experts to tackle questions surrounding social inequity and provide tips on how to address them as an alumni volunteer leader. Panelists
  • Meara Habashi, PhD. Krannert Faculty and Director of the Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Management, Purdue University
  • Natalie C. Murdock, student board member, Purdue Black Alumni Organization
  • Natalie Shen, president, Purdue Alumni Club of Washington D.C.
  • Henry E. Williams, PhD, MBA. Provost Fellow/Diversity & Inclusion, Purdue University
Watch it on YouTube
Passing the Torch: How to Endure a Smooth Leadership Transition Natalie Evans, assistant director of regional outreach, will lead a panel of alumni leaders on best practices for transitioning leadership to ensure the continuity of alumni engagement, programming, and Boilermaker pride. Panelists
  • Tasos Kaiafis, president, Purdue Alumni Club of Dallas-Fort Worth
  • Michael Stull, president, Purdue Alumni Club of Falls Cities
  • Sunny Ting, president, Purdue Alumni Network of Shanghai
Watch it on YouTube
Top Three Hacks to Recruiting, Retaining, and Engaging the Best Boilermaker Alumni Leadership Almira Yllana, member of the Purdue Alumni Association Board of Directors, and Giovanna Krozel, president of the Purdue Alumni Club of N/NW Suburbs of Chicago, will share some tips and tricks to help attract and retain alumni leaders to clubs and networks. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
The Role of Business and Industry in Achieving Racial and Economic Justice Brenda Covington-Johnson, board member of the Purdue Black Alumni Organization, will examine the role of business in changing social norms to drive measurable impact in providing marginalized communities with equal access to economic opportunity. She will discuss how, as our country engages in renewed conversations on systemic racism and economic inequality, corporations have a critical role in influencing and driving scalable positive change. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Volunteerism — Board Leadership Jillian Henry, vice president of organizational development and strategic leadership, will discuss the importance and responsibilities of volunteer leadership as well as the importance of volunteerism outreach efforts. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)

Marketing & Communications
Communications in a Nutshell Kat Braz, senior director of creative communications, will discuss how to source compelling stories, take engaging photos, and get your social media questions answered. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Making a Digital Connection Martin Sickafoose, vice president of marketing and digital strategy, will share an update of the Purdue Alumni Association’s existing digital solutions as well as how these solutions will be evolving in the new Purdue for Life Foundation. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)

Multi-Generational Engagement
Bridging the Gap: Generational Awareness We live, work, and play within multigenerational environments. Maureen Huffer Landis, director of alumni career advancement, will provide an overview of the following generations: the matures, baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y/millennials, and Generation Z/iGen. Is it true that attributes associated with each generation impact communication styles, demonstrated value systems and expectations, and abilities to interact? If so, understanding some of those attributes can help you develop strategies to bridge the gap. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Thinking Outside the Box — Engaging Age Population Diversity Thomas Mavronicles, president of the Purdue Alumni Club of Northwest Indiana, will discuss some of the most engaging activities and events — beyond football/basketball watch parties and golf outings — that appeal to our diverse alumni population both now and in the future to stay relevant. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)

Purdue – Past, Present and Future
Purdue Traditions, Heritage, and History John Sautter, senior advisor and Tuesday Tours host, will remind you of traditions, history, and perhaps your favorite spot on campus. At the end of the guided video, we welcome your comments, stories, and questions. Watch it on YouTube
What’s New, Purdue? Kat Braz, senior director of creative communications, will share the latest construction on campus, how Purdue pivoted to address COVID-19 concerns this spring, and the Protect Purdue premise that will prepare campus to safely welcome students in the fall. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)

Scholarships
Club Scholarships Interested in starting a club scholarship, or are you new to serving on a scholarship committee? Courtney Magnuson, senior director of alumni outreach, will review Purdue University’s scholarship awarding process and timeline for clubs with funds at the University who choose their own recipients. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Scholarship Endowments Zachary E. Bailey, J.D., director of development and Jill Anderson, senior director of development from the University Development Office’s planned giving team will talk about the benefits and logistics of creating a scholarship endowment at the University. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)

Treasurer
Budgeting Insights: A Budget Doesn’t Limit Your Freedom— It Gives You Freedom! Tracey Wolpert, senior vice president of finance, and Jessica Brooks, director of finance and membership operations, will share why a budget is important and offer tips and tricks to be successful at budgeting. Watch it on YouTube
So You Want to Be Treasurer? Learn the Ins and Outs of Managing Club/Network Finances Sharetha Marshall, assistant director of regional outreach, will lead a panel of club/network treasurers to discuss best practices, secrets, and how to best use funds throughout the entire fiscal year. Panelists
  • Andrew Stover, treasurer of Purdue Alumni Club of San Diego,
  • Roland Brown, treasurer of Purdue Black Alumni Organization 
Watch it on YouTube

Young Alumni
Connecting with Recent Graduates and Young Alumni Rochelle and Sara Zou, board members for the Purdue Alumni Club of Chicago, will share best practices, ideas, and collaborative brainstorming for engaging with recent graduates and young alumni. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)
Generation Z – How to Get “Lit” Once upon a time, you were planning for millennials, but now it’s all about Generation Z. Jimmy Cox, director of student-alumni programs, and Haley Atwell, assistant director of recent graduate initiatives, will share tips on how to communicate with Generation Z, what kinds of events to plan, and what is most important to this generation. Watch it on YouTube Download the slides (PDF)

Awards Ceremony
Awards Ceremony and Group Picture Watch it on YouTube

2019 Archives

Welcome and Introductions

Courtney Magnuson, Senior Director, Alumni Outreach Watch

Keynote Speaker

Michael J Gulich, Director of Campus Master Planning and Sustainability for Purdue University, will discuss the University’s Master Plan Watch

Purdue Alumni: 2,000 Volunteers Strong

Ralph Amos, Purdue Alumni President and CEO, will discuss the importance and responsibilities of volunteer leadership, as well as the importance of volunteerism outreach efforts Watch

Alumni Engagement – Events

Emily Richter, Director, Alumni Events, will share planning suggestions and takeaways to enhance local network events Watch | Download the Slides (PDF)

Alumni Engagement – Membership

Marie Foster-Bruns, Chief Experience Officer, will talk about the value of membership, how it fits into the alumni association as a member-based organization, and how it is a form of engagement Watch | Download the Slides (PDF)

Professional Development

Harry Brown, Associate Director, Leadership and Professional Development at Purdue University, will lead a discussion on the CliftonStrengths Assessment to help you discover what you naturally do best, learn how to develop your greatest talents, and use your customized results to live your best life Watch | Download the Slides (PDF)

Create Engaging Content through Compelling Stories

Kat Braz, Senior Director, Creative Communications, and Pat Brown, Director, Digital Marketing, will discuss the importance and impact of compelling storytelling Watch | Download the Slides (PDF)

Digital Solutions Update

Martin Sickafoose, Vice President, Digital Marketing, will give an overview of updates to existing resources and a demonstration and training of a new peer-to-peer networking tool Watch

Using Data Responsibly

Martin Sickafoose, Vice President, Digital Marketing, will discuss the importance of data collection and analysis to measure alumni engagement Watch

2018 Archive

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Keynote

Jay Akridge, Purdue University provost and chief diversity officer, shares news and developing initiatives in the university system Watch – Download Slides thumbnail of video

Overview of Alumni Outreach and Engagement

Marie Foster-Bruns, vice president, alumni outreach and engagement, shares the association’s vision and initiatives for connecting alumni to Purdue and to each other. Watch – Download Slides thumbnail of video

Understanding Expectations of Volunteer Leadership

Jillian Henry, vice president, organizational development and strategic leadership, discusses the importance and responsibilities of volunteer leadership, as well as the importance of volunteerism outreach efforts. Watch thumbnail of video

Purdue Sesquicentennial and Events Planning

Emily Bollock, director of alumni events shares plans for the sesquicentennial’s yearlong celebration of this university milestone and ways networks can be involved. There will also be special events planning suggestions and takeaways shared that can be used to enhance local network events. Watch thumbnail of video

Partnering with Admissions

Susie Saberniak, senior assistant director for admissions at Purdue University, discusses opportunities for partnerships with Admissions, including the Purdue Alumni Recruiting for Tomorrow (PART) program and “Welcome to Purdue” postcards. Watch – Download Slides thumbnail of video

The Senior Year Experience and Recent Graduates

Jimmy Cox, director, student-alumni programs, and LaDarius Gorden, assistant director, student-alumni programs, share how the Purdue Alumni Association spends a year preparing students for life after graduation and introducing services which ease their transition as a recent graduate and how clubs and networks can connect them in this next phase of life. Watch thumbnail of video

Purdue Alumni Updates

Gary Melliere, vice president, marketing and communications, talks about the Purdue Alumni branding, membership value proposition, marketing priorities, and how that relates to the clubs and networks. Watch – Download Slides thumbnail of video

Scholarship Awarding

Malissa Ayala, assistant director of scholarships at Purdue University’s Division of Financial Aid, reviews the scholarship awarding process for clubs who choose to select their own recipients. Watch – Download Slides thumbnail of video

Social Media

Pat Brown, director, interactive marketing, talks about the importance of connecting with constituents on social media, as well as best practices for content. Watch – Download Slides thumbnail of video

Technology Enhancements and Updates

Martin Sickafoose, vice president, alumni digital strategy, gives an overview of updates to existing resources and a demonstration and training of a new peer-to-peer networking tool. Watch

2017 Archives

Welcome and Introduction

Courtney Magnuson, director, regional alumni outreach and engagement, shares a “State of the Union” from her past year visiting with alumni clubs across the nation. Watch

Year in Review

Ralph Amos, Purdue Alumni president and CEO, and Marie Foster-Brūns, vice president, alumni outreach and engagement, share the association’s vision and initiatives. Watch

Purdue Sesquicentennial and special events planning

Lance Connolly, assistant vice president, special events and executive producer, sesquicentennial, and Kelly Hiller, director of communication, of the Purdue sesquicentennial celebration share plans for the yearlong celebration of this university milestone and ways networks can be involved. There are also special events planning suggestions and takeaways shared that can be used to enhance local network events. Watch

Purdue Alumni Update Branding

Gary Melliere, vice president, marketing and communications, talks about the Purdue Alumni branding, membership value proposition, marketing priorities, and how that relates to the clubs and networks. Watch

Serve in September

Jillian Henry, vice president, organizational development and strategic leadership, shares about the Serve in September university-wide initiative and other volunteerism outreach efforts and how clubs and networks can engage with their communities. Watch

Gold Status Recognition

Watch

Scholarship Endowments

Marcus Knotts, assistant vice president of planned giving at Purdue Research Foundation, talks about the benefits of creating an endowment at the university. Watch

Scholarship Awarding

Malissa Ayala, assistant director of scholarships at Purdue University’s Division of Financial Aid, discusses enhancements to the club scholarship awarding process. Watch

Technology Enhancements

Marie Foster-Brūns, vice president of alumni outreach and engagement, gives an overview of some of the new technologies and how the data can be viewed to create a customized approach to meet the needs and goals of individual clubs. Watch

Open Forum and Questions

Watch