Stories
Stories
HBS Is Committed to Increasing Alumni Engagement
HBS has taken on a major initiative to deepen its connection to alumni by increasing engagement and participation. To better understand the relationships that currently exist between alumni and HBS, the School has launched a research study to examine the various components of engagement. Alumni focus groups and interviews have been conducted around the world to better understand the motivators and barriers to alumni engagement and to further evaluate current and proposed communication channels. There were several key findings from the early research:
- Alumni want to increase the frequency of their two-way interactions with HBS. Alumni would like to be a resource for students and the School in new and different ways. The School will be looking into opportunities to expand alumni engagement in areas such as FIELD projects, the Harvard Innovation Lab, and reunions.
- Alumni of all ages feel strongly connected to other HBS graduates both professionally and socially. There is a strong sense of indebtedness to the alumni network and a willingness to give back to others.
- Younger alumni feel more connected to the School and credit their professional success to HBS.
- Distance from HBS is a determinant of how connected alumni feel. While alumni farther away feel less connected to the School, in locations where there is a smaller group of alumni, there is a stronger sense of community and engagement.Â
- Preferences for peer connections vary across the alumni base. Class Notes are highly valued; social media is favored by many. There is also a desire to see the alumni database further leveraged.
- Alumni want customized email communications from the School. They would also like more assistance in navigating the wealth of resources available on the HBS website.
- Many alumni value both formal reunions and impromptu minireunions.
- Events with HBS professors and networking opportunities continue to receive widespread support. Local HBS Alumni Clubs are a valuable convener for these engagements.
The next phase of the alumni research study involves an online survey, which was launched in July. The final report will be published this fall.
Overall, alumni are very interested in strengthening their ties to HBS. The research findings will undoubtedly help to develop strategies and metrics for increasing and tracking alumni participation and support. HBS’s commitment to engagement will enrich both alumni and the School for many years to come.
—Tatum can be reached at lskeetetatum@mba1998.hbs.edu.
Post a Comment
Related Stories
-
- 25 Aug 2022
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
Case Study: Sound Check
Re: Joshua Hoffman-Senn (MBA 2019); Bill Mirbach (MBA 1976) -
- 01 Jun 2020
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
Homeschooled
Re: Sal Khan (MBA 2003); John Jong-Hyun Kim (Senior Lecturer of Business Administration); By: Jennifer Gillespie -
- 20 May 2020
- HBS Alumni News
Keeping Families Connected
Re: Maxeme Tuchman (MBA 2012) -
- 11 Apr 2020
- Forbes
Reading Together, Apart
Re: Maxeme Tuchman (MBA 2012)
Stories Featuring Lisa Tatum
-
- 15 Aug 2023
- Forbes
Twelve Alumnae Named to Forbes 50 Over 50
Re: Lisa Tatum (MBA 1998); Depelsha Thomas McGruder (MBA 1998); Sarah Harden (MBA 1999); Suzanne Strassburger (OPM 53); Gina Bartasi (OPM 33); Tanya Lombard (AMP 199); Jessie Woolley-Wilson (MBA 1990); Geeta Aiyer (MBA 1985); Mala Gaonkar (MBA 1996); Aileen Lee (MBA 1997); Purnima Puri (MBA 1997); Deborah Quazzo (MBA 1987) -
- 24 Mar 2017
- Making A Difference
Personalizing the Path to Professional Success for Women
Re: Lisa Tatum (MBA 1998) -
- 12 Jan 2017
- HBS Alumni News
Personalizing Women’s Path to Success
Re: Lisa Tatum (MBA 1998); Mark Tatum (MBA 1998); Sheila Marcelo (MBA 1998); Ron Marcelo (MBA 1998); By: Jill Radsken