GOAL 2: Cultivate a loyal and engaged Alumni population from Day One.

The years students spend at UAHuntsville represent the greatest opportunity for us to forge the bonds of lifelong relationships. During no other time will we have the same level access to and connectivity with our future Alumni, and we must adopt a comprehensive attitude and set of practices that instill in students the confidence that the university cares deeply about them as individuals and as students. It is impossible to overstate the direct correlation between the quality of the students’ experience and their motivation to support their alma mater throughout their lives.

Actions

• User-friendly websites for “future students,” including information sources, FAQs, application process, contact information.
• Provide a timely response to applications and requests for information.
• Connect Alumni with prospective students in order to promote the university.
• Provide a strong and exciting orientation program, including convocation.
• Offer high-quality residence halls, food services, and other amenities.
• Maintain a responsive and informed student advising program, and in other ways maximize direct, personal contact between students and faculty.
• Support students through academic resources, tutoring, mentoring networks, etc.
• Connect Alumni with current students.
• Foster and support student leadership groups and other organizations.
• Involve students in the advancement effort, and educate them about the role of private support in the student experience.

Assessment

• Robust, continuous surveying of student satisfaction in every aspect and at every phase of their experience.
• Timeliness of response to requests for information, complaints, and other student communication.
• Rates of membership and participation in student organizations.
• Demand for non-required residence hall accommodations.
• Numbers and durations of individual contacts – i.e. advising sessions – between students and faculty.
• Participation rates in senior class gift initiatives.
• Retention rates and time to degree.
• Percentage of first-year Alumni who donate to the university.