A new era of alumni research : improving institutional performance and better serving alumni

Alumni play a variety of roles that contribute to the health of their alma mater--recruiting students, donating money, supplying student internships and employment, attending athletic events, and much more. This volume of Directions for Institutional Research represents a unique collaboration between higher education researchers and practitioners to explore how institutions can work with and serve alumni more effectively. Drawing from information generated by mail and telephone surveys, focus groups, and institutional data analysis, the authors examine various facets of an institution's relationship with alumni--including fundraising from alumni, services for alumni, and occupational and other outcomes of college. They also assess the impact of an undergraduate program designed to strengthen alumni ties to an institution, and show how alumni and their employers' evaluation of college curricula can be used to improve institutional practice. This is the 101st issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Institutional Research.