What Does Alumni Mean? The Value of an Alumni Network

The day you receive your diploma is a proud one, marking the culmination of your degree. But, it doesn't signal the end of your relationship with the school or the benefits still available to you. You're now an alum — and alumni are an integral part of a university's community and advocates for your success.

Who's Considered an Alum?

As a graduate, making the transition to alum may feel like a natural next step. But there's more than just graduates in the alumni community of your school.

"Anyone who has attended the college or university is an alum," said Bryan Bouchard '01 '04MBA, an alum from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) who earned his bachelor's in economics and Master of Business Administration (MBA). He's also an assistant professor of accounting at SNHU, the chairman of the Easterseals New Hampshire and Vermont Board of Directors, and has served on those boards since 2015.

According to Bouchard, the primary difference is that a graduate is someone who attended a college or university and earned their degree, while an alum is anyone who attended at some point and then left.

Alums may not have completed their course of study but have the experience of attending an institution. "However, most consider alumni and graduate one in the same," he said.

"Sometimes, alumni communities designate and name loyal supporters who are not graduates as 'honorary alums'," said JR Ristaino '82, president emeritus of the SNHU Alumni Board of Directors. Ristaino now works in alumni relations in higher education.

Understanding the Different Forms of 'Alum'

While the word 'alum' covers all within the community, there are quite a few designations in use also. Here's a breakdown of every form, according to Merriam-Webster:

• Alumnus - usually a single male graduate; can be a single female graduate, too
• Alumni - plural male graduates and plural gender-neutral graduates
• Alumna - single female graduate
• Alumnae - plural female graduates
• Alum - single graduate, gender neutral
• Alums - plural graduates, gender neutral

What is An Alumni Association?

An alumni association is a community that brings former students together, helping you stay connected with both the university and other alumni.

At SNHU, you automatically become a member as soon as you graduate. Aarron Dupuis '19MBA, president of the SNHU Alumni Board of Directors, said that there are over 250,000 members of the SNHU alumni association.

Being a part of an association can open many doors for you and allow you to reap a lot of different benefits. Not only does it give you the opportunity to stay engaged, but it also provides the chance for you to help others, too.

Why is a Strong Alumni Network Important?

One of the best parts of being a member of an alumni association is the network that comes with it. An alumni network connects you with a number of professional contacts and other alumni across broad industries and interests.

"The alumni network can be incredibly beneficial to those that leverage it after graduation," said Gloria J. Lee '21MBA, vice president of the SNHU Alumni Board of Directors, noting that it can offer career support and guidance, networking opportunities, charity involvement and more.

Alumni share experiences with others in the network. "They want to see others succeed. I have seen alum come back to campus and recruit students," said Bouchard. "They know how much their experience has benefited them in their professional career. So, they hope to connect with alum with the hopes of working with them."

Whether you're building your brand, creating business connections or getting involved in other organizations, an alumni network is an excellent opportunity for establishing potential long-term, mutually beneficial relationships — and stay connected with others who have an experienced earning a degree with your university.

“I have had the best conversations with alumni that have helped me talk through career moves, life changes and so much more," said Elizabeth St. Jean ’15 '23MBA, director of people strategic initiatives at SNHU. "My connection with alumni has helped me get closer with professional connections with companies I have dreamt of working for as well as helped me plan for future moves financially.”

As you finish your degree, you may start thinking about your next steps. Joining an alumni network can help you connect and build lasting relationships with like-minded people even after graduation.

“I have been given such great opportunities through extracurricular work and job opportunities from alumni that without their support, attaining my higher education would have been very difficult,” St. Jean said.

Beyond making connections, an alumni network can serve as a resource for mentorship and guidance. Experienced alumni can provide insights into navigating career challenges, exploring new opportunities and achieving personal growth. This sense of community and shared experience can be instrumental in helping you reach your goals and grow along your professional journey.

“Knowing that there are so many others who have shared in similar experiences is important," Bouchard said. "It enables me to have an instant connection with others in my field who have gone through the same schooling as me.”

Why is it Important for Alumni to Give Back?

An essential part of being an alum is finding ways to give back to the university. Many believe that it's financial support for the school or responding to emails, but there is much more behind that. You can play a part what may become a success story for current student or other alums.

"There are many ways that an alum can stay engaged," said Bouchard. "Coming to speak to classes, mentoring students, hiring students, offering internships, attending athletic events, etc. There are so many ways that they can be engaged with a university."

As an alum you know first-hand the education and valuable life lessons that can come out of a university experience, and using that knowledge to shape current and future students is important to pass on  — and it can benefit your professional growth and development as well.

According to Bouchard, there are many ways that an alumni can be a resource for others, such as:

• Assisting students in their job or internship searches
• Conducting mock interviews
• Hosting presentations
• Speaking to students about their experiences

“Every student deserves the opportunity to connect, and I believe it is our duty as alumni to support and mentor students to help them be the best they can be at any stage in their learning journey,” St. Jean said.

Terri Grijalva '19MBA, a member of the SNHU Alumni Board of Directors, noted some additional ways to stay engaged with your university:

• Participate in fundraising events
• Work with the alumni office
• Write professional experience blog posts

"I think a good alumnus is someone who is willing and energized about giving back to the university through its faculty, students and fellow alumni," Grijalva said. "This means looking for unique ways to stay connected."

Being a Good Alum

"The association can only be as good as those members who are involved," said Dupuis. He added that alumni associations should be a place where alumni can come together to give back and become leaders within their local communities.

Dupuis encourages alumni to ensure their contact information is up-to-date with the alumni office so they'll receive updates on the latest event, volunteering and networking opportunities.

Being an alum is a two-way street — there's so much available to you to both give and receive. Alumni participation is critical to building and maintaining a strong community within the university.

Wondering how you can be a good alum and make a positive difference? "Being involved and showing support. That is all it takes," Bouchard said.

Alexa Gustavsen ’21 is a content facilitator and writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Based in New Hampshire, she completed her bachelor's in creative writing and English on campus at NH. Currently, she is pursuing her master's in marketing online at the university. Connect with her on LinkedIn.