Industry
Higher Education
Our Role
- Strategic Planning
- Market Research and Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Primary Research including Interviews, Focus Groups, Surveys
- Project Management
- Creation of New Membership Models
- Development of New Shared Service Model within University
Situation
The University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association serves, in connection with the Office of Institutional Advancement, as the conduit between the University of Pittsburgh and its 318,000 alumni. Over the years, alumni relations at the University of Pittsburgh continued to build its identity and provided students and alumni various opportunities to connect with fellow Pitt alums and remain engaged in the University long after graduation. The Office of Institutional Advancement and the Association’s operations continued to evolve, and the needs of its members continued to change. The University and its Alumni Association engaged The Hill Group to evaluate its position within the market environment, determine the desired state of the Alumni Association, assess other organizations to identify areas for internal improvement, and develop a strategy that will provide a roadmap for three to five years.
Solution
The Hill Group conducted a rigorous market and situational analysis as the first phase of this process. Based on the analysis, which consisted of primary and secondary research, a strategy was developed to grow and sustain the Alumni Association that included a new membership model. The strategy was operationalized into a strategic plan with tactical operational plans and business plans. The Hill Group also worked with Institutional Advancement to identify areas in which the Alumni Affairs Office could better coordinate alumni activities across academic units and provide conference and event services to other business and academic units within the University.
Results
- Engaged stakeholders to inform and gain buy-in to plan
- Identified and prioritized five major strategic initiatives
- Developed and analyzed potential membership models to enhance growth and sustainability
- Developed opportunities to earn income through member benefits and services
- Created an opportunity to provide conference and event services for other University units
Behind the Scenes
Stakeholder engagement and buy-in was vital to the success of this project. Armed with this knowledge, Hill Group consultants conducted over 50 engagement opportunities for stakeholders through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. This feedback, coupled with the work of the strategic planning committee, resulted in the Alumni Association’s new membership model. An additional step to this buy-in was working with Institutional Advancement to identify areas in which the Alumni Affairs Office could better coordinate alumni activities across academic units.