Alumni Annual Report (Text-Only)

Alumni Demographics

As the data is constantly changing, we closely track alumni demographics, so we can make data-driven decisions about our programming. Currently, 38% of our alumni graduated in the past 15 years and we have alumni in over 130 countries. Total number of living alumni is 96,120. Total excludes duplicates (alumni who have both an undergraduate and a graduate degree from SCU are only counted once) and does NOT include the Class of 2017.

IMAGE: A pie chart displaying the proportion of undergraduate verses graduate alumni. Graduate alumni account for 45%, while undergraduate alumni account for 55% of total living alumni.

All Living Alumni by Location

IMAGE: An infographic displaying that alumni are located in all 50 states in the United States, as well as from over 130 countries around the world.

All Living Alumni by Decade

IMAGE: A bar graph displaying the percentage of alumni from each decade.

• 1% of our alumni attended SCU in the 1950s.
• 5% of our alumni attended SCU in the 1960s.
• 14% of our alumni attended SCU in the 1970s.
• 18% of our alumni attended SCU in the 1980s.
• 21% of our alumni attended SCU in the 1990s.
• 22% of our alumni attended SCU in the 2000s.
• 18% of our alumni attended SCU in the 2010s.

All Living Alumni by Gender

IMAGE: A pie chart displaying the percentage of males and females that make up the total living alumni population. Males make up 56%, while females make up 44%.

IMAGE: A photograph of around 100 SCU alumni and their families in front of the Mission Church at Santa Clara University.

Event Statistics

This year our total events and total number of reservations increased substantially (20% and 25% respectively) over the previous year. This increase in event production and reservation processing was accomplished with the same amount of staff (15) as the previous year, a testament to staff efforts and improved systems and processes.

We also conducted 66% more post-event surveys than the previous year and saw an increase in our overall Net Promoter Score to 72. 

Total events for the year were 241, a 20% increase from the year before. There were 106 signature events held, including Alumni Board and other events, as well as 136 Chapters & Groups events. The total number of reservations for the year were 19,358.

Events by Type

IMAGE: An infographic that shows the different Alumni events organized by type.

• Student events: 19%

• Affinity & Identity-Based Group events: 14%

• Career events: 2%

• Athletics events: 9%

• Board of Directors events: 2%

• Educational events: 16%

• Awards events: 2%

• Young Alumni events: 2%

• Spirituality events: 5%

• Alumni For Others events: 11%

• Social events: 15%

• Leadership Development events: 2%

IMAGE: A table displaying the Net Promoter Score for Alumni Events. A NPS score of 50 or above is considered good.

• For 2011-2012, 27 events were surveyed, with an average response rate of 28% and an overall average Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 64.

• For 2012-2013, 29 events were surveyed, with an average response rate of 28%, and an overall average NPS of 75.

• For 2013-2014, 24 events were surveyed, with an average response rate of 25%, and an overall average NPS of 74.

• For 2014-2015, 59 events were surveyed, with an average response rate of 31%, and an overall average NPS of 64.

• For 2015-2016, 56 events were surveyed, with an average response rate of 33%, and an overall average NPS of 69.

• For 2016-2017, 93 events were surveyed, with an average response rate of 29%, and an overall average NPS score of 72.
  
  

Signature Events

Our signature events are larger on-campus events which happen annually or bi-annually. We closely monitor attendance trends which can shift dramatically due to variables such as weather, venue capacity limitations, and conflicting events/holidays.

Event Attendance and Analysis

IMAGE: A table displaying total attendance for signature events and the percentage change in attendance as compared to the previous year.

• Easter Bunny Brunch: 331 attendees, up 17% from last year

• Gianera Society Luncheon: 208 attendees, down 15% from last year

• Graduation Picnic: 6,200 attendees, down 7% from last year

• Grand Reunion Picnic: 4,053 attendees, up 4% from last year

• Legacy Barbeque: 331 attendees, up 17% from last year

• Pasta Feed: 267 attendees, down 43% from last year

• President’s Dinner: 334 attendees, down 35% from last year

• Vintage Santa Clara: 1,827 attendees, unchanged since last year.

• This year we had the highest overall attendance ever at Grand Reunion (4,053) as well as the addition of three new identity-based group events to the Grand Reunion schedule (Black Alumni, Chicano-Latino, and LGBTQ+).

• We used iPads for walk-on registration at the Pasta Feed, which helped the line move quicker and has become a best practice for other alumni event registration processes.

• Pasta Feed was on President’s Weekend this year, which based on survey feedback, was not ideal for many so we saw a decrease in attendance.

• The Gianera Society Luncheonhad a similar number of reservations as the previous year, but a higher percentage of “no shows.” For future events, we plan to send additional communications to encourage registrants to attend.

• The President’s Dinner is centered on our award recipients, so the number of attendees is directly correlated to how many family and friends they invite and the number of their Santa Clara connections. Additionally, last year we raised the price of tickets from $75 to $100 for the first time in 11 years.

IMAGE: A photograph of the President’s Dinner, with an SCU alum walking down to receive their award and the crowd applauding.

IMAGE: A quote from Maggie Asher, Class of 2016, regarding Graduation Picnic: “The BEST EVENT. Not like any other school. A great way to get all the family and all friends together for one last celebration. Everything about it is the best way to end college graduation on a high note.”

IMAGE: A quote from Ann Gonzales Lindahl, Class of 1986, regarding the President’s Dinner: “The President’s Dinner and Alumni Awards is always a wonderful evening reconnecting with old friends and socializing with other Broncos. The focus of the night and honoring those Broncos that live the Jesuit motto of being Men and Women for others is very touching and motivating.”

IMAGE: A quote from Joanne Sanfilippo, Class of 1966, regarding Grand Reunion Weekend: “We were treated royally. All the staff were fun, helpful, and well informed. It was great that they really wanted us to have a great experience. Even students were receptive, offering to show us their classrooms, dorm rooms, and just chat with us. The University did a fabulous job with all the events. Great reception and service wherever we went.”

Chapters & Groups

Based on the results of the 2015 Alumni Attitude Survey, market research, and extensive competitive benchmarking, we revised and expanded our chapters and groups structure to best serve our diverse population and better align with industry standards. 

IMAGE: A table of SCU Alumni domestic chapters, international chapters, affinity groups, identity-based groups, and professional industry groups.

There are 31 Domestic Chapters and they are:

• Austin, TX
• Boston, MA
• Central Coast
• Chicago, IL
• Dallas, TX
• Denver, CO
• East Bay
• Fresno
• Guam *NEW this year!
• Hawai`i
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles
• Marin
• Monterey/Salinas
• Napa/Santa Rosa
• New York, NY
• Orange County
• Palm Springs
• Peninsula
• Phoenix, AZ
• Portland, OR
• Reno/Tahoe
• Sacramento
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• Santa Clara Valley
• Santa Cruz
• Seattle, WA
• Spokane, WA
• Stockton/Modesto
• Washington, D.C.

There are 3 International chapters and they are:

• Hong Kong *NEW this year!
• India
• Manila *NEW this year!

There are 2 Affinity Groups:

• Into the Wild
• Pep Band Alumni

There are 4 Identity-Based Groups:

• Asian Pacific Islander Alumni Group
• Black Alumni Group
• Chicano Latino Alumni Group
• LGBTQ+ Alumni Group *NEW this year!

There are 3 Professional Industry Groups:

• SCU Bronco Builders Association (SCUBBA) Industry Group
• SCU Entertainment Industry Group
• SCU Real Estate Industry Group *NEW this year! 

IMAGE: A callout to the first ever LGBTQ+ reception at Grand Reunion 2016, which helped paved the way for a unanimous “yes” vote by the Alumni Board on March 30, 2017 for the creation of a new LGBTQ+ Alumni Group.

Bucket List Experiences

For our chapters and groups events we’ve started to offer new “special access events” (also known as “Bucket List Experiences”) with the goal of engaging more/new alumni via these once-in-a-lifetime type events. Examples include:

IMAGE: Highlighting the following four Bucket List Experiences:

• Tour of the SLAC, or Stanford Linear Accelerator had 30 attendees, which was sold out. It’s accompanied by a photograph that shows attendees inside the building.
• “Wicked” The Musical on Broadway with a private backstage tour, had 50 attendees which was sold out. It’s accompanied by a photograph showing attendees siting at the front of the auditorium and the cast sitting on the edge of the stage talking to them.
• “Broncos do Star Wars” exhibit tour with Physics professor Phil Keston had 14 attendees. It’s accompanied by a photograph showing Phil Keston standing in front of a Star Wars exhibit.
• Peet’s Coffee Roastery with the COO Bronco Alumnus Shawn Conway from the class of 1987 had 28 attendees, which was sold out. It’s accompanied by a photograph of attendees watching how coffee was made.

Alumni Making New and Unique Connections at Regional Events

Elisa Fanucchi ’12 and Mritunjay Kumar M.S. ’15 both recently relocated to the Austin area. At the Austin’s New Year Leadership Happy Hour these two not only met new Broncos, but they also realized they were neighbors, living in the very same apartment complex!

POUND Rockout Workout Party

Initiated by Board Member Jane Davaransky ’00, this hugely successful volunteer-led, volunteer-driven event brought alumna and POUND Rockout instructor Sonia Li ’00 to campus to lead a free class on the Donohoe Alumni House Lawn. Broncos teaching Broncos!

IMAGE: A picture of the POUND Workout Party group getting ready for a workout holding their green drimbsticks with enthuasism.

Alumni Programs

Programs offer alumni engagement opportunities outside the traditional event format and allow us to engage alumni no matter where they live.

IMAGE: A list of the following Alumni Programs:

• Alumni for Others

• Alumni Audit Program

• Baby Bibs Program

• Career Programs

• Teacher Outreach Program

• Illuminate – SCU’s Thought Leader Blog

• Mission Wine Collection

• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

• SCUter – Alumni Association Drone

• Spiritual Programs

• Switchboard

Highlights

• This year we launched of a new community-building online platform, known as Switchboard. Switchboard creates meaningful, recurring, and high-value engagement where alumni can ask for what they need and offer what they have to give. We achieved our one-year goal of 1,000 in the first six months!

• The Mission Wine Collection (in its second year) was in such high demand that it resulted in a record-breaking sell out of Testarossa Winery's Santa Lucia Highland Chardonnay within months of launching

• We transitioned 150+ Illuminate articles to the University’s new content management system TerminalFour, improved the site’s navigation (added a word cloud, search bar, and updates to the navigation bar), and added new design enhancements; Additionally we published 62 articles and our second annual trends article that had 1,000+ views!

• Career programs centered around the theme of happiness and new this year and we took programming off campus to local cities with great success

IMAGE: A quote from Riley McShane from the Class of 2017, regarding Switchboard: “This post led to a great summer job with the San Jose Jazz Festival. I was connected with Bruce Labadie from the class of 1977, who is the artistic and festival director there. It was an awesome way to carry my passion for music and event planning right into post-grad life.”

IMAGE: We hosted 5 Alumni Webinars with over 200 views in order to engage alumni worldwide.

Student Events & Programs

Our student-focused events and programs – which take place from enrollment through graduation – introduce students to Santa Clara’s robust alumni community and reinforce their lifelong connection to Santa Clara. “Once a Bronco, Always a Bronco.”

Highlights

• This year the Alumni Speaker Series program featured a panel of five alumnae and one faculty member entitled “Innovating Women: Exploring Careers in STEM.” The event had over 80 students, faculty, and staff in attendance; more than any previous events in the history of the series.

IMAGE: A list of the following student events and programs:

• Alumni Speaker Series
• Bagels & Greenbooks
• Buck Bannan Dinner
• Legacy Barbeque
• Life after Santa Clara
• New Student Welcome Program
• Student Alumni Council
• Summer Send-Off Receptions

IMAGE: A photograph pf the panel of five alumnae and one faculty member entitled “Innovating Women: Exploring Careers in STEM”

• Based on feedback from previous years, we made adjustments to our Life After Santa Clara event series, offering less events (6 instead of 8), eliminating topics that were less popular in the past, and focusing on quality over quantity. Both our overall attendance and our unique attendance increased. In addition, our post-survey response rate, and NPS rose from 58 to 72.
  
  

Young Alumni Events & Programs

Our Young Alumni programming engages alumni who’ve graduated in the past ten years through social, educational, and professional events (primarily in the Bay Area).

Highlights

• This year the “Friendsgiving” event was at the alumni-owned winery Testarossa and sold-out with 43 attendees

• The Student Loan Debt Workshop, led by Nick Der ’14, brought together young alumni and seniors and was a high-ranking favorite this year

IMAGE: A list of the following Young Alumni events and programs:

• Brews & Games

• Friendsgiving

• Student Loan Debt Workshop

• Men’s Basketball Luxury Box Tailgate

• Young Alumni Soiree

IMAGE: A quote from Peter Atkinson, class of 2015, who attended the Student Loan Debt Workshop that days, “I would definitely recommend a similar event to another Bronco. Nick and Ryan were engaging, easy to follow, and made talking about these topics interesting…Overall, the event was wonderful and I got so much from it.”

Alumni Generosity

Alumni are the only lifelong stakeholders in the University and they give back in many ways, not only in dollars, but through their time, resources, connections, jobs/internships, ideas, advice, advocacy, brand influence, word-of-mouth referrals, and many other ways.

Alumni Giving

• Alumni Participation in Giving: 20.39% (20.13% in 2015-16)

• Undergraduate Event Attendees and Donors: 58% (60% in 2015-16)

*percent of all undergraduate alumni who registered for a 2016-17 Alumni Association event AND made a gift to the University in 2016-17.

 

Alumni Family Scholarship (AFS)

In 2016-2017, we awarded $695,434 to 100 recipients.

This was the second year in a row we were able to send a targeted email to all previous AFS recipients and donors as part of the Day of Giving (March 8, 2017). The outcome was extremely successful resulting in a significant increase in the number of gifts, donors, and dollars raised, a testament to the value of targeted marketing.

IMAGE: An image displaying the following statistics for the Alumni Family Scholarship:

• 20% increase in the number of gifts

• 26% increase in the number of donors

• 31% increase in the amount of money raised

We also created a student testimonial and gratitude video for this first time, which had 100+ views.

IMAGE: A screenshot of the Alumni Family Scholarship email, inviting Broncos to donate.

Alumni Board of Directors

• Advanced the Strategic Plan for Engaging Santa Clara Alumni

• Drafted and approved a "resolution" on Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion - the first ever resolution from the Alumni Board

• Awarded Neider Family Alumni Award - $5k each to Brittany Cheung (JVC, Peru) and Ihu Erandu (AmeriCorps, NYC)

• Achieved 100% giving participation of Board Members (5th year in a row)

IMAGE: A photograph the Alumni Board of Directors for 2016-2017.

How Participation Influences Giving

Alumni who feel part of the community give at a rate of 2-3 times our University average. Below are the many ways alumni have engaged with the University compared to the percentage of those that were donors in the 2016-17 academic year.

IMAGE: A bar graph displaying Alumni Participation in Giving. The Y-axis represented the percentage of giving and the x-axis represents the various ways alumni engage with SCU eitherby volunteering, attending an event, or through online engagement. A line at 20% represents the average alumni participation in giving for FY17. The following is the data in the graph:

• Alumni Association Board Members: 100%

• Summer Send-Off Hosts: 98%

• Signature Events Volunteers: 88%

• Alumni Association Past Presidents: 81%

• Grand Reunion Committee Members: 74%

• Switchboard Engagement: 73%

• Admissions Volunteers: 63%

• New Student Welcome Callers: 63%

• Attended Alumni Event: 58%

• Chapters & Groups Leaders: 53%

• Grand Reunion Attendees Alumni: 50%

• Inauguration Representative: 50%

• Served on a Career Panel: 45%

• Alumni Association Facebook Engagement: 37%

• Career Fair Vendor Representative: 31%
  
  

Marketing & Communications

Our marketing and communications efforts this year focused on creative approaches to engage SCU alumni in new ways across our traditional and social communications platforms.

Highlights

• Drove engagement and growth on our social media platforms including an increase of shares and comments by 25% and 31% respectively on Facebook; an increase of followers on Instagram by 30%; and 68% more likes on Twitter

• Early adopters of the 360 camera at SCU, and have shared nine 360 photos or videos, to help people feel like they’re back on campus

• Implemented more Snapchat geo filters at events (7 total), to appeal to our younger alumni population

• Set three new Bronco Connect open rate records, including a new high of 33% in June 2017, which means 16,300 people opened that issue

• Continued our website momentum by launching “Overheard,” a web element highlighting alumni sentiments and stories, conducting user testing and implementing over 34 user recommendations, and completing a comprehensive website audit of 300+ pages

IMAGE: An website screenshot that shows various Overheard quotes from throughout the year.

 

Campus Partnerships

Our Liaison Program, which partners the alumni relations staff members with over 64 schools, centers, departments, and committees on campus, continues to deepen our relationships across campus.

Highlights

• Developed a more formal structure for the Liaison Program to offer our campus partners regular updates and to create a more collaborative relationships

• Launched a quarterly liaison newsletter in March 2017

• Actively supported Development in 2017 Day of Giving goals through alumni email communications, extensive social media posting, talking points at regional events, and volunteer education efforts

• Collaborated with the Office for Multicultural Learning to celebrate the Black, Chicanx/Latinx, Pan Asian, and LGBTQ+ senior ceremonies

• Re-defined our partnerships with the Athletics department and are looking for more areas beyond Basketball pre-game and Pasta Feed events to collaborate and engage alumni

IMAGE: An screenshot of the Liaison Quarterly Newsletter from June 2017 discussing the highlights previously listed.

IMAGE: A quote from Karen Bernosky, from the SCU Law School, praising the Liaison Program.