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Alumni Attitudes Survey (Text-Only)

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In May 2015 the Alumni Association commissioned a survey to assess the attitudes, behaviors, and interest​s​ of our alumni population. Below is an infographic highlighting the results.

Overall Opinions & Attitudes

Student Experience

  • 92% of alumni are very or somewhat satisfied with the overall experience they had a student at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½

Alumni Want to Be MORE Connected

  • 39% want more connection
  • 59% want to stay the same
  • 2% want less connection

Aspects of ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Alumni Most Identify With

  • ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ as a whole: 42% undergraduate, 27% graduate
  • Other: 24% undergraduate, 8% graduate *Examples include sports team, student group, residents hall/dorm, center/institute
  • Department: 29% undergraduate, 13% graduate
  • School or college: 8% undergraduate, 22% graduate

 ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Has Alumni “Mindshare”

  • 82% say their current opinion of the University is excellent or good
  • 46% of alumni say they mentioned ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ within the past week
  • 71% of alumni feel a lifelong relationship with ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is worth maintain

Quote from the Class of 2004: “My time spent at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ was the best time of my life. The relationships that were built will never be broken and always cherished.”

Quote from the Class of 2010: “I have become very successful in my career due to my academic background and good morals and a sense of community that I established at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½.”

Quote from the Class of 1975: “ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is an excellent source of enrichment both for young people starting out in life and alumni who benefit from an enduring positive influence.”

The Value of Alumni Programming & Events

Alumni who feel they are still part of the ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ community are 2-3 times more likely to:

  • Take great pride in their ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ degree
  • Recommend ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ to a prospective student
  • Have an excellent overall opinion of the University today
  • Be donors
  • Say ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is one of the most important affiliations in life today
  • Feel that a lifelong relationship with ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is worth maintaining
  • Feel ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ values its alumni
  • Feel an emotional connection to ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½
  • Feel ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is part of who they are

Only a third (35%) of alumni feel they are still part of the ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ community.

Alumni Engagement & Interests

Done in the Past Year or So

  • 63% read ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Magazine
  • 36% visited campus
  • 31% wore ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ apparel
  • 30% visited ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ website
  • 26% recommended ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ to a prospective student
  • 14% engaged with ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ social media
  • 14% attended a local event
  • 5% honked or waived at someone wearing ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ gear
  • 5% volunteered
  • 3% hired/got hired by a Bronco
  • 2% submitted a class note

Big Opportunity: Class Notes

  • Only 2% of alumni self report submitting a class note in the past year.

Interests in Ways to Stay Involved:

  • Informed about campus news: 88% somewhat interested, 28% very interested
  • Socializing or networking: 75% somewhat interested, 22% very interested
  • Intellectually focused events: 75% somewhat interested, 24% very interested
  • Podcasts: 64% somewhat interested, 20% very interested
  • Community Service projects: 59% somewhat interested, 16% very interested
  • Volunteering: 53% somewhat interested, 13% very interested
  • Career/professional development: 55% somewhat interested, 19% very interested
  • Athletic events: 49% somewhat interested, 11% very interested
  • Spiritual events: 42% somewhat interested, 10% very interested

Quote from a member of the Class of 2013: “I always like reading about weddings that are happening in the Mission. I met my boyfriend at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½, and I love reading about other peoples’ love stories from ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ as well!”

Attitudes about Programs & Activities

  • Program Diversity is Key
  • “One Size Doesn’t Fit All”
  • No single form of involvement has universal appeal, but half of all alumni express great interest in staying involved in some way
  • Alumni feel more engaged if they live in an area with an active regional alumni chapter

Marketing & Communications

Communication Channels Are Very Generational

  • Older alumni (60 and older) say that ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Magazine is their main source of news and information, whereas younger alumni (under 40) get their news primarily from friends and social media
  • 49% choose email newsletter as their preferred communication channel for events and time-sensitive info

Social Media

Social Media is a positive driver to increase alumni engagement, including:

  • Getting together in person with other alumni
  • Attending Grand Reunion Weekend
  • Attending ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ events in their local area
  • Visiting Campus

Quote from a member of the Class of 2009: “I would like to see stronger use of social media platforms or other virtual communication so that alumni like me might be able to participate, even from afar.” 

There Is a Big Opportunity to Grow Our Social Channels

  • 48% of alumni say they use social media to interact with other ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ alumni
  • 63% of alumni are unaware of the Alumni Association’s Facebook page

Career Programs

Alumni who are interested in Career and Professional Development services are:

  • 62% are most interested in career networking opportunities
  • 38% Dealing with a career transition or building their personal brand
  • 31% are interested in having a positive online presence for their career
  • 30% Seeking guidance during their job search
  • 28% Updating their resume
  • 22% Looking for job interviewing tips

55% of alumni want career and professional development services and events from ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½

  • Not surprisingly, young alumni (under 40) are the most interested in career and professional development offerings

Desired Affinity Groups

Possible interest-based affinity groups include:

  • LGBTQ
  • Older singles
  • Widowers

Possible professional affinity groups include:

  • Teachers
  • Real Estate
  • Technology
  • Finance 

Quote from member of the Class of 2005: “LGBT focused alumni groups would be great!”

Quote from member of the Class of 2009: “The most important resource for me is building professional connections with alumni.”

Quote from member of the Class of 2010: “I would like ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ to offer in-person networking opportunities for alumni in similar career fields.”

Quote from member of the Class of 1972: “Opportunities for older singles to meet other singles!”

64% of alumni are interested in podcasts to stay involved with ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½

Visiting Campus

  • 36% of alumni visited campus in the past year or so
  • Quote from member of the Class of 2009: “Taking this survey makes me want to visit the campus!”
  • 6/10 alumni who come back to campus in the past year or so say they just walked around and enjoyed campus
  • Quote from member of the Class of 1990: “I still visit campus, and it is simply beautiful and welcoming.”

IMAGE: Mission Church

How Well Are We Doing: Benchmarking Against Other Schools

*Since not all schools have a graduate program, we’ve only compared undergraduate data. 

Given the 100 schools we had comparable survey data, we identified 21 schools to benchmark against that were:

  • Mix of peer and aspirational
  • Mix of large and small
  • Mix of private and public
  • A few Jesuit Schools
  • A few schools we compete with for admissions

Schools included in the benchmarking assessment include:

  • Binghamton University
  • Creighton University
  • Hawai’i Pacific University
  • McGill University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • New York University
  • Penn State University
  • Regis University
  • Stanford University
  • Trent University
  • University of Alaska Anchorage
  • University of California Berkeley
  • University of California Davis
  • University of Colorado
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of South Florida
  • University of Virginia
  • Wake Forest University
  • Willamette University 

When it comes to alumni feelings the following is how we compare to our peers:

  • Feels the university values its alumni
    • Peer school range: 57-90%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 85%
  • Feels a lifelong relationship with the University is worth maintaining
    • Peer school range: 48-82%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 76%
  • Feels the University is part of who you are
    • Peer school range: 46-85%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 73%
  • Feels an emotional connection to the University
    • Peer school range: 45-87%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 71%
  • Very satisfied with their student experience
    • Peer school range: 40-86%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 69%
  • Takes great pride in their degree
    • Peer school range: 45-87%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 65%
  • Still feel part of the community
    • Peer school range: 20-715, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 42%

When it comes to alumni programs, the following is how we compare to our peers:

  • Overall
    • Peer school range: 27-73%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 68%
  • Campus News
    • Peer school range: 51-91%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 83%
  • Athletics
    • Peer school range: 33-79%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 73%
  • Intellectual
    • Peer school range: 40-72%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 68%
  • Socialize
    • Peer school range: 43-73%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 68%
  • Volunteer
    • Peer school range: 30-64%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 62%
  • Career
    • Peer school range: 23-71%, ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½: 55%

How We Can Do Better

When asked How ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Fits in Your Life Today, alumni said:

  • One of the most important affiliations: 11%
  • Other affiliations are more important: 57%
  • Not important: 32%

Communications

Alumni Want MORE Communications

  • 25% of alumni say they don’t receive enough information about ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ events in their local area, while 3% say they receive too much

Biggest Challenge: Awareness

  • 55% of alumni who live in an area with an active chapter are unaware of the chapter

Feedback on Amount of Information Received from ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½:

  • Admissions
    • 8% too much, 15% not enough
  • Fundraising
    • 23% too much, 3% not enough
  • School news
    • 2% too much, 23% not enough
  • Alumni
    • 3% too much, 21% not enough
  • Involvement
    • 5% too much, 21% not enough
  • Students
    • 5% too much, 11% not enough
  • Athletics
    • 8% too much, 11% not enough
  • Local events
    • 3% too much, 25% not enough
  • Student clubs
    • 3% too much, 16% not enough
  • Campus events
    • 4% too much, 14% not enough
  • Research
    • 4% too much, 23% not enough

Quotes from alumni on communication:

  • “I feel like we need to do a better job of promoting alumni events in local areas.”
  • “Please reach out to alumni more about ways to stay engaged with the University – events, activities, volunteering, etc.”
  • “I would love to be contacted more often about the events, etc., listed in the survey.”

What We Like to Hear:

Quote from member of the Class of 1986: “ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is a special place. Strong academics, amazing people, amazing community. Most important – you become a Bronco for life. The connection alumni have with the university is unmatched. ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is family.”

Quote from member of the Class of 1992: “ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ was the perfect undergraduate home for me – it broadened me academically, culturally, athletically, and socially. The campus is so rich in history and Jesuit tradition, while sitting in the heart of Silicon Valley. I chose ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ over an Ivy League option, and as I look back at the education I received, the relationship formed, and the path to happiness in life that ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ gave me, I know ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ was the school for me.”

Quote from member of the Class of 2004: “ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ provided me with a solid education and numerous opportunities to learn, grow and challenge myself outside of the classroom, which has shaped me both personally and professionally. I left ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ with much more than a degree. The relationships I made at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½, in through my subsequent involvement via alumni activities, are invaluable and I still maintain a close connection with some students, faculty and staff.”

Survey Respondent Demographics

Age

  • Under 30: 10%
  • 30-39: 17%
  • 40-49: 17%
  • 50-59: 20%
  • 60-69: 15%
  • 70 and older: 7%
  • No answer: 15%

Religious Preference

  • Catholic: 46%
  • Protestant: 13%
  • Other Christian: 8%
  • Jewish: 3%
  • Hindu: 3%
  • Buddhist: 2%
  • Muslin: 0%
  • Other (specify): 3%
  • None: 17%
  • Prefer not to say: 6%

Racial or Ethnic Group Respondent Identifies with the Most:

  • White/Caucasian: 69%
  • Asian/Asian-American/Pacific Islander: 13%
  • Latino/Chicano/Hispanic: 6%
  • Mixed ethnicity: 3%
  • Black/African-American: 2%
  • Middle Eastern: 1%
  • Native American/American Indian: 0%
  • Other: 0%
  • Prefer not to say: 6%

Degree

  • Undergraduate/dual: 54%
  • Graduate-only: 46%

School or College

  • Arts and Sciences: 34%
  • Business: 33%
  • Law: 14%
  • Engineering: 12%
  • Education and Counseling Psychology: 4%
  • Jesuit Theology: 2%
  • Pastoral Ministries: 0%

Year of Earliest Degree

  • 2005-2014: 26%
  • 1995-2004: 23%
  • 1985-1994: 22%
  • 1975-1984: 19%
  • 1960-1974: 11%

Gender

  • Male: 57%
  • Female: 43%

Region

  • Local (driving distance): 57%
  • Non-local active chapter: 33%
  • Elsewhere: 10%

Made a gift to any ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ designation in the past five years?

  • Yes: 25%
  • No: 75%

About the Survey:

The ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Alumni Association conducted a survey online from April 19-May 23, 2015, with a random sample of ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ undergraduate degree holders from 1960-2014 and graduate degree holders from 1965-2014.

1,817 alumni participated in the survey, which was an approximately 23 percent response rate.

For additional information about the survey, please contact Melissa Brotherton at mbrotherton@scu.edu.