2024 Alumni Attitude Survey Recap

Alumni responses to this question have remained relatively consistent compared to the 2014 survey. However, these responses are not at the level of our peer or comparison schools. We aim to see more alumni in the 'good' and 'excellent' categories regarding their experiences. To achieve this, we hope to continue offering surveys and opportunities for alumni to provide feedback.

This will allow us to evaluate and enhance our offerings to better meet the expectations of our alumni community. Interested in staying connected and sharing your feedback more regularly? Explore your alumni volunteer opportunities.   

We also intend to leverage the results and key findings from this study to explore what motivates alumni engagement across different age brackets and life cycle stages. This will help us segment our programs and opportunities to better align with the identified needs and wants of alumni at various points in their lives.  Additionally, the team plans to research the peer and comparison schools included in the study to understand what drives engagement within their alumni communities. By learning from their experiences, we can apply relevant insights to improve our own alumni engagement efforts.  

Do you believe it is important for alumni in general to do the following?

When respondents were asked what activities they believe it's important for alumni to participate in, many highlighted the importance of showing Temple pride by wearing university gear, mentoring students, identifying job opportunities for students and alumni, networking with fellow alumni, staying connected through events and updating contact information.  

Building on these findings, we plan to explore further what drives alumni engagement. We will focus on areas with lower participation, such as volunteering for Temple and enhancing connections with the university, using these insights as a foundation for boosting engagement in the coming year. This will enable us to better tailor our programs and initiatives to meet the evolving needs of Temple alumni at different stages of their personal and professional lives. By leveraging these insights, we aim to develop more effective strategies to strengthen the Temple alumni community and increase engagement across all areas.  

Stay connected with updates on our alumni website and with the Temple University Alumni Association.  💻

In response to the prompt, “In your relationship with Temple University, please describe how often you do or have done each of the following,” alumni responses highlight occasional engagement with activities such as reading email newsletters, connecting with fellow alumni, and visiting campus. However, regular participation remains low across most areas, including attending events, engaging with social media, and visiting the university's digital platforms. Opportunities exist to deepen connections by showcasing the value and opportunities for alumni to engage in ways that align with their interests and needs.

In response to this question, alumni expressed priorities in areas of jobs, credentials, networking and mentoring.  The best way to remain informed about all these priorities is to subscribe to the Temple Professional Network email newsletter delivering quarterly updates straight to your inbox.  

On the job posting and job search front, Temple recently launched the Job Search Accelerator program, an online, cohort-based program to equip alumni job seekers with effective strategies and tactics to reach their career goals. Look for this program to return in the future.

Additionally, Temple looks forward to expanding its participation in regional alumni career fairs, in cities including Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C., with expansion to other regions possible.   We also look forward to supporting the professional development journey of our alumni. February 2025 will see the launch of our first ever young alumni professional development conference. Learn more and register. And these responses tell us that we should more deeply partner with and lift up the incredible resources of Temple’s continuing education offices, which offer incredible resources to advance our alumni’s careers.  

Finally, the alumni relations team has recently added a new staff position focused on helping grow and expand mentorship programs across the university, as well as networking and connections programs to help strengthen bonds among our Owls. This is an addition to the many digital resources and strategies available to help you connect with your Owl Network.  

Temple alumni value staying connected to the university and its community through events that showcase pride, foster professional networking and strengthen nostalgic ties. Results highlight preferences for local gatherings, athletic events and opportunities to mentor or learn something new, emphasizing the importance of creating diverse, engaging experiences.

Alumni events are a great way to meet new Owls and reconnect with the Temple community. Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone—bring a friend! Temple and non-Temple guests are always welcome at our events.  

Event Preferences: Alumni prefer local gatherings, athletic events and activities tied to their college or student groups. Socializing, networking, free swag and learning opportunities were cited as major motivators to attend events. 

Temple hosts a variety of alumni programs and events, both in-person and virtual, including signature events like Homecoming and Family Weekend, and Temple Made Days. Visit the full calendar to see we’re committed to expanding and tailoring events to match alumni interests. 

When asked what the biggest motivating factors are for giving to Temple, respondents most commonly said a desire to support a particular cause or program, supporting scholarships, and making Temple the best it can be.

Scholarship support is a chance to transform lives and invest in the next generation of Owls. Become a part of Made for More: Prioritizing Scholarships at Temple to be the difference for our students.

Please select the Temple University topics you'd like to hear updates about.

Respondents were generally satisfied with the frequency of alumni communications, including email invitations, mailed materials and the Temple alumni newsletter. The majority felt they received these updates at the "just right" amount. 

When asked about the topics they would most like to hear about, two-thirds of respondents expressed interest in stories and updates related to students, faculty/staff and alumni achievements. Timely news about their major, school or college, campus developments and Temple events also garnered strong support, with over half of respondents indicating interest. 

As we move into the new year, we will continue to emphasize these topics through our email and social media communications, as well as on our Alumni website and Temple Beyond, our alumni and donor news center. 

We also encourage all alumni to make sure their contact information is updated and to share with us their latest updates—recent awards, milestones, publications or just a photo of you showing your Temple pride!  🦉

The survey identified several key areas where alumni seek more meaningful support from the TUAA, the Temple University Alumni Association. Top priorities included career support, networking opportunities, and increased engagement. Alumni also expressed a desire for better communication, greater focus on campus safety, and more alumni events to strengthen connections within the community.