Engaging Alumni through Technology: Cornell Class of '86

Technology as an Engagement Tool:25th Reunion and Beyond

Hilory (Federgreen) WagnerCommunication Arts, Class of 1986

@hilorywagner

hilorywithano.wordpress.com

Before Media Became “Social”

• “The Cornell Connection”• Cornell Magazine was the main news source

– Life happened– “Nothing newsworthy”

• Reunions presented opportunities to renew enthusiasm and involvement

From “News” to “Conversation”

• Social media as an alumni engagement tool – Changes the flow of information– Eliminates / minimizes the gatekeeper– Offers easy tools to connect– Lets alumni connect locally, nationally, internationally– Gives an instant, multidimensional sense of community– Provides career and networking benefits– Has enormous potential for strengthening ties and

boosting class spirit

Class of 1986 on the Web

• Focus on class website increased around reunions

• As 25th approached, Cornell rolling out new content management tool

• Opportunity to integrate other web and social media tools

Facetime on Facebook

• Class of 86 page existed as vehicle for news gathering

• Created dedicated Reunions page, launched Event from this group

Linking with LinkedIn

• Started last year, now more than 50 members

• Emphasizes career /networking

• Addresses different communities

@CornellClass86

• I blame / thank Larry Robiner, ‘86

• Launched Twitter handle September 2010

• Great potential for communication during Reunion

• #LearningCurve :(

YouTube: Reunion Kick-Off Video

Virtual Reunion: Blog

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey

• Snapshot of how alumni are embracing social media tools, January 2012 (23 responses)

• Level of involvement:– Part of my DNA (Class Officer, employee): 5– Very active (attend events, donate, encourage/force

teens to apply to Cornell): 7– Supporter (try to stay up to date): 9– On the fringe: 2

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey

• How have social media tools affected your relationship with Cornell over the last several years?– Little impact: 4– Not much of a Facebooker/Twitterer, but thinking

about using these to keep up with Cornell: 3– Somewhat influenced me to be a more active

member of my alumni class: 9– Definitely increased my engagement with alumni

class: 7

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey

• How often do you use Facebook?– As little as possible: 3– Not very often – people have commented how

annoying it is that I don’t check Facebook: 4– In healthy moderation: 4– Daily – it’s an enriching and positive part of my

day: 11– Constantly: at my computer, via Smartphone – if I

eat a brownie the world hears about it. Don’t judge me: 1

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey

• How often do you use Twitter?– Like I need one more excuse to waste time! Ha, I

don’t use Twitter: 8– I set up an account and tweeted, “This is my first

tweet!” And that was it, pretty much: 4– I dabble now and then, getting used to it: 5– I am on Twitter daily, and love it: 5– I am on Twitter daily, and hate it: 1

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey

• Which statement about social media sounds like you?– I am soooo busy, I really have no time to invest in

any Facebook or Twitter learning curve: 3– I am happy with my current involvement on

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so on: 18– I think I might spend some time learning about

Twitter and other tools this year: 1– I am absolutely planning to use more social media

tools, personally or for my business, in the coming year: 1

A Quick, Statistically Dubious Survey

• Which statement about social media and CORNELL sounds like you?– I am soooo busy, I won’t be changing any of my involvement

with my alumni class. Don’t take it personally: 1– I am happy with my current involvement on Facebook, Twitter,

yada yada, so I’ll most likely keep up the same clip: 14– I definitely want to engage more with Cornell alumni on

Facebook: 5– I am definitely going to connect with more Cornellians on

LinkedIn this year: 4– As soon as I finish this survey, I’m going to follow

@CornellClass86 on Twitter: 1

CornellConnect with All Communities