Creating an alumni program from scratch can feel overwhelming. No roadmap, no playbook—just a vision and a blank slate. But starting from zero is where the magic begins. With focus, creativity, and the right tools, you can build a program that changes lives and strengthens your mission.
Creating an alumni program from scratch can feel overwhelming. No roadmap, no playbook—just a vision and a blank slate. But starting from zero is where the magic begins. With focus, creativity, and the right tools, you can build a program that changes lives and strengthens your mission.
Jenn Dunleavy, Alumni Engagement Consultant at Encyrcle, knows this firsthand. “I had a title, a desk, and one goal: create an alumni program. No manual, no guide—just the belief that it could be done.” Her journey proves that even the smallest beginnings can lead to powerful outcomes.
Here’s how to get started:
Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Begin with what you have, take small steps, and let the growth follow. Action is what drives progress.
“In the beginning, I focused on simple wins,” Jenn recalls. “A coffee meetup here, a group text there. These small moments created momentum.”
Take Action: Plan one simple event—a virtual hangout, a local meetup, or a milestone celebration. Focus on creating connection, not perfection.
Understanding your alumni is the foundation of a successful program. Build relationships, gather feedback, and learn what they value.
“I made it a priority to meet alumni where they were,” Jenn says. “In conversations, I discovered what mattered to them, and that shaped everything we did.”
Take Action: Send a quick text or send a survey asking alumni what support or events they’d find most valuable.
Alumni programs thrive when they create a sense of belonging. Focus on fostering connections and shared experiences.
“Events became the heart of our program,” Jenn explains. “Whether it was a recovery workshop or a picnic, we made people feel like they were part of something bigger.”
Take Action: Host one event that brings alumni together—whether for fun, learning, or giving back.
You don’t need a huge team to create meaningful impact—just smart tools that scale your efforts.
“Technology made all the difference,” Jenn shares. “Platforms like Encyrcle allowed us to stay personal while reaching more people.”
Take Action: Use an automated platform to send personalized updates, reminders, or milestone messages to alumni.
Connection is built on small, thoughtful gestures that show alumni they matter.
“Milestones, birthdays, anniversaries—we celebrated them all,” Jenn says. “It’s the little things that make people feel seen.”
Take Action: Send a quick text to congratulate alumni on sobriety milestones or other achievements.
A great program evolves. Use data to track engagement and outcomes, then adjust based on what works.
“Data helped us understand our impact,” Jenn says. “It showed us what resonated and what didn’t, so we could continuously improve.”
Take Action: Track attendance at one event or engagement from one campaign. Use the insights to refine your next effort.
Building an alumni program from nothing isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Each connection, each milestone, each moment of support builds a stronger community.
As Jenn puts it, “Focus on the relationships. That’s where the magic happens. Start small, stay curious, and let your alumni guide the way.”
With these strategies and tools like Encyrcle, you’re not just creating an alumni program—you’re building a legacy of support, connection, and impact that will shape the future.
