The Use and Function of Community College Alumni Associations

Abstract

Community colleges evolved in the United States to provide introductory college-level work to students as well as important job training skills. This evolution often focused on serving non-traditional students. Through this evolution, these colleges have been slow to engage in fundraising and other activities that their four-year counterparts have undertaken, including alumni engagement. Alumni engagement through associations has proven to be an effective tool for four-year institutions to steward and solicit alumni. The purpose for conducting the current study was to describe the use and function of contemporary community college alumni associations. Using a national sample of community colleges, approximately half identified through their online presence the existence of an alumni association.