Photo by Steve Freeman
Through a series of online focus groups for recent alumni, an alumni-led task force hopes to learn more about what matters most to Princeton graduates of the last decade and about how they would like to engage with Princeton.
The Task Force on Recent Alumni Engagement comprises 16 alumni and is co-chaired by Mary Newburn ’97, former president of the Alumni Association, and Chris Olofson ’92, chair of the Annual Giving Committee.
Alumni of the last decade are encouraged to review the available dates and times to sign up for a focus group.
“Engagement” is defined by the task force as attending Princeton-organized events, serving in volunteer roles, engaging with alumni communications channels and giving.
“If you’re a recent alum, these focus groups are an opportunity to make a difference and express what matters to you,” Newburn said. “The task force is hoping to listen, learn, collect data, and ultimately create a set of recommendations to guide efforts to provide recent alumni with ways to engage with the University that fit their needs.”
The series of conversations is specifically designed for those who have graduated within the last decade, including both undergraduate and graduate alumni. The focus groups will be moderated by fellow alumni, providing an opportunity for recent alumni to share their thoughts on what has influenced them the most in their post-graduation journey, how they interact with the University and how Princeton can best support them.
“Direct insights from recent alumni will inform the task force and infuse our final recommendations with the real voices of alumni who have graduated in the last 10 years,” Olofson said. “Our alumni task force members, who will lead the conversations, are looking forward to both a fun opportunity for recent alumni to get together and to the insights they’ll share.”
Olofson and Newburn encourage alumni who aren’t as engaged with the University to participate so they can better understand the barriers to engagement that some recent alumni may encounter.
The hour-long focus groups, which will begin in October, will be offered as virtual events to ensure convenience and accessibility for all participants. The task force will also organize a few in-person focus groups in selected cities. Participants will receive a special Princeton ballcap and pin as a thank you gift.
