Great Potential for Those Willing to Work on Them

Reconnectors (27% of all alumni) are alumni with the greatest degree of unrealized potential. They tend to have relatively low levels of involvement with your institution. They don’t give or participate much. However, they are open to increased involvement, particularly in areas that will provide a practical benefit to themselves and others. Reconnectors are like rich, raw ore – there is much good to be found here, but extracting that goodness takes real effort. Demographically, Reconnectors are likely to be early-to-mid career (median age: 37), to work in a field unrelated to their undergraduate major, and to be female (not exclusively, but more so than any other segment). Income is an issue for many Reconnectors. They are the least affluent group, with median household income 15-to-20 percent lower than that of other segments. As a result, Reconnectors tend to be interested in resources that their alma mater may provide to help them improve themselves, personally and professionally. A problem, however, is that they’ve been somewhat out of the loop in terms of traditional alumni involvement. Reconnectors are unlikely to give or participate in alumni activities, and they tend not to follow athletics. They tend to not keep up with institution news and progress. As a result, they may not be aware of available opportunities. where can i buy a rolex replica watch band? Reconnectors do OK in keeping in touch with classmates, but they desire to do much better. In fact, they desire greater involvement in many areas. Their gap between current and desired involvement is greater than other segments on every item in the AlumniPoll survey! (VISIT HERE to view a gap analysis chart) In addition to reconnecting with classmates, this segment is particularly interested in:
  1. Accessing the institution’s career resources;
  2. Using their skills to mentor current students; and
  3. Continuing education opportunities
As seen in these priorities, Reconnectors tend toward pragmatism. They want to be involved in things that make a difference – for themselves or for others. They won’t bother with events and activities that only function as entertainment. Reconnectors desire to be givers, and are open to supporting your institution. But many do not have lots of discretionary giving dollars – so appeals to this group need to be modest, practical and results-oriented. They likely aren’t interested in enhancing the institution’s reputation or in making a token gift to a $10-million effort. But you will get their attention for smaller-scale projects that provide a tangible benefit for students, staff or community. Reconnectors want to be a part of positive change. Involving Reconnectors is not quick and easy. The barrier of inertia needs to be overcome, and the “payoff” for engaging them is not always measured in dollars and cents – especially in the short term. But, unlike some other segments, there is real openness to increasing involvement. How do you identify Reconnectors? Campbell Research has developed a survey-based model to help you categorize alumni into each of the R4 alumni segments. If you conduct an alumni survey, be sure to contact Campbell Research to find out how to add a handful of questions that can be used to classify your alumni. Almost every alumni program can involve alumni who are “Rallyers.” Other segments are difficult to inspire toward greater involvement, regardless of the effort. But Reconnectors can be motivated, and your institution’s ability to reach them is likely to make the difference between an average alumni program and a great one. Be willing to work for and with Reconnectors, and you are likely to see positive changes in their lives and the life of your institution. How do you identify Reconnecters in your database? Campbell Rinker has developed a survey-based model to help you categorize alumni into each of the R4 Matrix alumni segments. If you conduct an alumni survey, be sure to include the handful of questions that can be used to classify your alumni.

Methodology: Data based on Campbell Research’s AlumniPoll 2002, Campbell Research’s syndicated online survey of more than 3,000 North American alumni. Data were weighted to match national proportions for public/private enrollment, as reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Segments were defined through K-means cluster analysis.