Program

(all times are EDT)

Day 1

12:45pm - Workshop Sign-In Begins

1:00pm - Welcome/Overview of the Day

1:15pm - Understanding Your Audience

Discover what makes young alumni unique—including their stage of life and career, attitudes and beliefs, and relationship with their alma mater.

2:00pm - Small Group Breakouts

Engage in small group discussions with colleagues to talk through issues, exchange ideas, and participate in problem-solving exercises.

2:45pm - Break (30 minutes)

3:15pm - Engaging Recent Graduates in Meaningful Ways

Explore strategies to engage young alumni through events, volunteer opportunities, and digital experiences in order to cultivate feelings of connectedness, value, and goodwill.

4:00pm - Small Group Breakouts

Engage in small group discussions with colleagues to talk through issues, exchange ideas, and participate in problem-solving exercises.

4:45pm - Wrap-up/Homework Assignment

Day 2

12:45pm - Workshop Sign-In Begins

1:00pm - Welcome/Overview of the Day

1:15pm - Communicating With Young Alumni About Giving

Learn how to communicate a compelling case for support that will resonate with young alumni through a variety of channels, including social content, advertising, texting, and special campaigns.

2:00pm - Small Group Breakouts

Engage in small group discussions with colleagues to talk through issues, exchange ideas, and participate in problem-solving exercises.

2:45pm - Break (30 minutes)

3:15pm - Bringing It All Together 

Explore how to develop a cohesive young alumni engagement and giving strategy that integrates messages, schedules, and resources across multiple channels.

4:00pm - Small Group Breakouts

Engage in small group discussions with colleagues to talk through issues, exchange ideas, and participate in problem-solving exercises.

4:45pm - Final Thoughts/Wrap-up

Faculty

Carrie Combs | James Madison University

Carrie Combs is the Director of Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the JMU Alumni Association at James Madison University, where she oversees institution-wide alumni engagement efforts. With nearly a decade of experience at JMU, she has also held roles in advancement relations and marketing strategy. Carrie holds both an M.S. and a B.S. in Technical and Scientific Communication, as well as a Post-Masters Certificate in College Student Personnel Administration, all from James Madison University.

 Craig Waltman | Haverford University

Craig Waltman is Director of Annual Giving at Haverford College, where he oversees all aspects of the College’s annual giving program. Prior to joining Haverford in 2010, he served as a fundraising strategy and communications consultant for nationally-known universities, public broadcasting stations, and others. He also held positions in annual giving at Swarthmore College and in advancement at The Pathway School. Craig is an active volunteer with STAFF, Elizabethtown College, and serves on the Board of his local YMCA. He has frequently served as a volunteer and presenter with CASE. Craig holds a B.A. in Psychology from Elizabethtown College.

 Skylar Beaver | The Lawrenceville School

Skylar Beaver is the Director of The Lawrenceville Fund at The Lawrenceville School. A frequent CASE presenter and past Chair of STAFF’s Sharing the Annual Fund Fundamentals, she brings more than a decade of advancement experience to her work with AGN. Previously, she led annual giving efforts at The Spence School, Washington and Lee University, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Skylar has a B.A. in Sociology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an M.P.A. in nonprofit management from SUNY Brockport.

Dan Allenby | Principal & Founder at AGN Resources