Alumless

Sizing up advancement organizations with Brandon Buzbee

On this episode of Alum-Less, Chris and Ryan catch up with Brandon Buzbee, Vice President for Advancement at the University of North Texas. In his role at UNT for a year, Brandon previously led the Global Networks unit at the University of Denver, which included career services as part of advancement.We discuss with Brandon the challenges of working for two completely different institutions and how he's sizing up opportunities to enhance and rebuild various aspects of the advancement shop at UNT.We will also ask Brandon how he prepared for his role as VP of Advancement and what other engagement pros can do if they hope to take on the leadership role.Check out our first ever "Friday Cheers" segment now at the end of each show in the bonus section. Also! We're excited to announce our first presenting sponsor — Protopia. There's much to share about our partnership with Protopia, but visit protopia.co to get a sense of the company's unique, AI-powered technology.

Models for engagement in Canada with Temi Akin-Aina

Join us for our first Alum-Less post-CASE Summit in NYC. This week, we feature Temi Akin-Aina, Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations at Western University in London, Ontario. Temi is our first guest from Canada and rising star in the higher ed engagement space. We're excited to discuss with Temi some of the challenges facing advancement teams that might differ slightly in Canada versus the U.S.We will also break down some of our takeaways from CASE Summit and share our thoughts on what advancement are discussing.

Developing a fully integrated engagement model with Erica Arroyo

Hey Alum-Less listeners, we've got a great show this week. Join Chris and me for a chat with Erica Arroyo, Associate Vice President for Engagement at the University of Miami. We'll chat with Erica about her team's fully integrated approach to philanthropy-focused engagement.All advancement teams need help with the degree to which alumni engagement strategies should be designed and resourced to play a role in cultivating donors and qualifying new prospects. We'll ask Erica about her team's unique approach that connects engagement and philanthropy more closely.

Strengthening engagement within a decentralized culture with Christine Fairchild

On this week's episode of Alum-Less, we chat with Christine Fairchild, Direct of Alumni Relations at the University of Oxford. We'll discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that come with leading a centralized alumni team within Oxford's college system.Also, last week Christine announced that she's departing Oxford after twelve years. Chris and I will ask Christine to reflect on her tenure and what's next along her professional journey.Be sure to hear our bonus segment with Christine on the podcast edition of Alum-Less!

Developing an inclusive advancement organization with Angelique Grant

In this edition of Alum-Less, we explore where the conversation is today regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in educational advancement. Our special guest this week is an expert on the topic. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Angelique Grant - Senior Consultant + Principal at The Inclusion Firm.We explore with Angelique what some advancement teams out there are doing to build momentum, assess whether goals and objectives have been reached, and how teams are thinking about measuring the success of DEIB initiatives.

Creating an alumni engagement culture shift with Thomas McArthur

Hey listeners! We have a great show for you with special guest Thomas McArthur, Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, at the University of Buffalo. We chat with Thomas about the challenges of ushering in a new framework for alumni engagement at a large, complex, state university like UB.On the show we also discuss with Thomas what it's been like working to create a culture shift and develop a new set of priorities. In particular, we will ask Thomas about his efforts to establish a more robust integration between the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving teams.Join us for these topics and more on this edition of Alum-Less — from Friday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m. ET. Subscribe to the podcast edition of Alum-Less for the 30-minute bonus segment with each of our special guests.

Assessing annual giving strategies with Adam Compton

We've got an excellent show for Alum-Less listeners this week! Chris and Ryan explore all things annual giving with special guest, Adam Compton, Executive Director of Annual Giving at NC State University. They discuss annual giving trends with Adam and review the recent and successful NC State Day of Giving.On the show, listeners will hear a discussion on how universities should consider increasing their alumni participation rate and how to design a more holistic approach to annual giving that realizes potential across stakeholder groups and audience segments.

Leading an elite alumni association with Caryn Davies

For our one year anniversary episode, we have a unique and exciting guest on Alum-Less! This week we're featuring Caryn Davies, three-time medal winner (two golds and a silver) on the U.S. Rowing team, and current President of the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association.On the show this week, we discuss with Caryn Davies the challenges of leading the USOPA, and what it means to be an alum in the context of a shared history around representing the U.S. in the Olympic games. We'll hear from Caryn on the lessons she's learned during her athletic career, in addition to her work as an attorney and motivational speaker.Join us for this special, celebratory episode of Alum-Less.