Beyond Giving: Political Advocacy and Volunteer Behaviors of Public University Alumni

Abstract

College and university leaders have paid an enormous level of attention to one domain of alumni involvement: charitable giving. In light of the decline of state support for higher education and the shrinking ability of families to pay for college, such emphasis is understandable. However, this emphasis has blinded scholars and practitioners to understanding the important non-monetary support roles played by college alumni. Drawing on data from a research extensive university, this study employs a sequential mixed method design (focus groups and confirmatory factor analysis) to demonstrate that non-monetary support behaviors are best understood through the distinct, but interrelated domains of political advocacy and volunteerism. Political advocacy behaviors include contacting legislators, the governor's office, local politicians and serving on a political action team, while volunteer behaviors include mentoring new alumni, recruiting students, and participating in special events. The study breaks ground for future research on alumni support for higher education, including strategies to recruit alumni volunteers and advocates.

An Integrative Model of Alumni Loyalty—an Empirical Validation Among Graduates From German and Russian Universities

“…This allows universities to minimize financial problems and thus enhance their competitiveness and profitability (e.g., Clotfelter, 2003;Glover & Krotseng, 1992;Heller, 2006;Mortenson, 2004;Weerts, Cabrera, & Sanford, 2010) The growth of alumni studies in different countries could be attributed to the following preconditions: decline of financial state support (Glover & Krotseng, 1992;Heller, 2006;Mortenson, 2004;Weerts & Ronca, 2008); increasingly competitive environment in higher education (Brennen et al, 2005;Cabrera, Weerts, & Zulick, 2003;Melchiori, 1988;Weerts & Ronca, 2008); the "war for talent" (Melchiori, 1988); and increasing globalization (Cabrera, Weerts, & Zulick, 2005;Rubens, Russell, & Perez, 2011).…”

Improving Employability Through Stakeholders in European Higher Education: The Case of Spain

“…Feedback from them through associations, workshops or occupational observatories may thus constitute one of the key non-monetary support roles that is at least as important for students as any financial aid they may provide (Weerts et al, 2010). After all, recent evidence suggests that student scholarships, loans or campus jobs are not appreciated enough years after to make former beneficiaries reciprocate with their own contributions (Meer and Rosen, 2012).…”

Alumni Networks—An Untapped Potential to Gain and Retain Highly-Skilled Workers?

“…They are part of the university advisory board before and after graduation. They give lectures, provide job opportunities for students and graduates, establish their careers, act as ambassadors or prominent university alumni through advertisement, acquire new students, act as mentors and give financial support to the university (Weerts et al, 2010). …”