In this episode of "Alumless Takes," Ryan Catherwood and Nick Kallail discuss the evolving role of regional engagement in alumni associations. They explore the effectiveness of formal versus informal volunteer-run organizations, with Nick emphasizing the importance of building flexible, community-driven networks that align with alumni interests. The conversation highlights the shift from traditional sports-focused events to diverse, service-oriented initiatives that foster meaningful connections among alumni. They also touch on the challenges and strategies of measuring success in alumni engagement and the impact of modern technology on traditional alumni activities.

This episode of Alumless is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumnIQ, and Givzey, with additional support from Richmond Associates.

What do alumni really think about their alma mater today, and what does that mean for the future of advancement?

On this super sized episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris sit down with Howard Heevner, Co-Founder of the The National Alumni Survey, Executive Director of Annual Programs at the University of California, Berkeley, and Vice President and Consultant with CMAC, to unpack insights from the 2026 National Alumni Survey. Howard explains why the survey was launched and what it reveals about the changing relationship between institutions and their alumni.

The conversation explores generational shifts in philanthropic behavior and why Howard believes trust has become the most important currency in alumni engagement. The conversation continues with a discussion of the sector’s toughest questions: what may be broken in the traditional annual giving pipeline and how advancement leaders may need to rethink qualification, messaging, and donor journeys in the years ahead.

This episode of Alumless is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumnIQ, and Givzey, with additional support from Richmond Associates.

Metrics are shaping the future of alumni engagement, but only if institutions are willing to use them strategically.

On this bonus episode of Alumless World, Ryan and Nicole Hess Kempton are joined by special guest Barbara Dick, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations at the University of Toronto, for a global conversation on innovation in alumni engagement metrics. Barbara reflects on her path into advancement, her leadership in integrated advancement models, and the persistent silos that can limit institutional progress.

The discussion explores how nuanced engagement metrics can influence real decisions and how Toronto elevated engagement goals alongside financial targets during the Defy Gravity campaign.

In the bonus segment, Barbara shares practical advice for building institutional buy-in around engagement data and the global trends she believes will define the next frontier of alumni metrics.

This episode of Alumless World is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumnIQ, and Givzey, and our newest presenting sponsor, Richmond Associates.

Mentoring has long been part of alumni engagement, but what does it really take to make mentoring flourish at scale? Is that even possible? On this episode of Alumless, Ryan is joined by Kim Infanti and special guest Allison McWilliams, Assistant Vice President for Mentoring and Alumni Personal & Career Development at Wake Forest University, for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving role of mentoring in higher education.

Allison shares how Wake Forest has structured its mentoring and alumni personal development efforts, what mentoring is and is not, and the environmental and logistical factors required to make it work effectively. The conversation explores how institutions can design mentoring programs that serve both students and alumni well and whether technology has truly enabled mentoring to scale.

In the bonus segment, the discussion turns to the future of career services in an AI-driven economy. Allison reflects on how institutions must rethink experiential learning and personal development to prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.

This episode of Alumless is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumnIQ, and Givzey.

In this week's episode of Alumless Takes, Ryan interviews Meg Lysy, the Senior Director for Alumni Relations at Dartmouth College. They discuss the various alumni initiatives in the admissions process, including the long-standing alumni interviewing program and the Dartmouth Book Award.

Meg shares insights on how alumni engagement enhances the admissions experience for applicants and the organizational changes within the Alumni Relations team to improve volunteer involvement. The conversation highlights the importance of alumni in shaping the admissions landscape and the challenges faced by institutions in maintaining these programs.

This episode of Alumless Takes is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumniQ, and Givzey.

As universities rethink how they support students and engage alumni, some have been experimenting with a bold structural shift: bringing alumni engagement and career services together under the advancement umbrella. On this episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris sit down with John Jensen, Executive Director of Alumni and Career Services at Washington and Lee University, to explore what happens when these two functions are intentionally integrated.

John shares the decision-making process that led to this merger at W&L and what has been hardest to align operationally and culturally. The conversation examines whether this model represents a growing trend or a structure that only works in select institutional environments.

In the bonus segment, John discusses programs that demonstrate the power of integrated engagement and career development, including mentoring, internships, and experiential learning. He reflects on how this approach supports campaign priorities, shapes the student-to-alum transition, and redefines success within advancement.

This episode of Alumless is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumniQ, and Givzey.

At a time when many universities are moving toward fully integrated advancement models, other successful structures exist, like the one at Georgia Tech. On this episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris are joined by Janet Kinard, Vice President for Engagement at the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, to explore how an independent, alumni-led association can thrive alongside a separate foundation and development office.

Janet walks listeners through Georgia Tech’s distinctive engagement structure and the systems that keep multiple entities aligned around shared goals. The conversation examines common misconceptions about independent associations, how leadership teams manage inevitable tensions between engagement and fundraising, and why collaboration remains central to long-term success.

In the bonus segment, Janet shares how the Alumni Association serves as a two-way door between alumni and campus and why Georgia Tech continues to outperform national averages in alumni engagement. She also reflects on how data and CASE AEM metrics guide planning and decision-making, and what other institutions should consider before moving toward a fully integrated model.

This episode of Alumless is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumniQ, and Givzey.

For this week's episode of Alumless Takes, Ryan is joined by Ashley Watts, the Director of Annual Giving at Georgia State University, who shares insights from the busy end-of-year giving season. She discusses the lessons learned from video appeals, the importance of intentional messaging, and the role of data in enhancing fundraising strategies. Ashley emphasizes the need for collaboration and adding value to colleagues across campus, while also recommending resources for professional growth.