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Alumni Ambassadors: The Pro's and Con's

Should you invite alumni to become ambassadors? An overview of the benefits, and potential drawbacks

Amy Gray avatar
Written by Amy Gray
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Universities have long recognised the impact of peer-to-peer engagement in student recruitment. While current students often act as ambassadors, there’s another group with unique influence: Alumni Ambassadors.

Alumni bring credibility, career perspective, and long-term value to conversations with prospective students - but to make the most of their voices, you'll need to consider both the benefits and the challenges of engaging them.


Why Alumni Ambassadors Matter

  • Credibility and authenticity
    Alumni speak from lived experience. Prospective students and their families value hearing from someone who has navigated the full journey - from application to graduation, and on to their career.

  • Future-focused storytelling
    Where current students can describe campus life, alumni can connect the dots to life after university. Their career stories help prospects see the tangible value of a degree.

  • Representation and relatability
    Alumni often bring diverse life experiences and career paths, broadening the range of voices available to prospective students.

  • Strengthening community ties
    Involving alumni in outreach reinforces a sense of pride and belonging, while showcasing the strength of the graduate network to future students.


Potential Drawbacks to Consider

  • Availability and commitment
    Graduates often have busy professional lives, so response times may be slower than those of current student ambassadors.

  • Relevance of experience
    An Alumni Ambassador who graduated many years ago may not be familiar with current facilities, teaching methods, or support services. They may need some additional training or materials to get up to speed.


    Tips for Running an Effective Alumni Ambassador Programme

    1. Be selective with recruitment
      Look for alumni who are engaged, articulate, and reflective of the diversity you want to showcase.

    2. Set clear expectations
      Define what’s expected in terms of time commitment, communication style, and boundaries with prospective students.

    3. Provide training and resources
      Offer guidance on messaging, FAQs, and how to signpost prospects to official channels for admissions or support.

    4. Blend alumni with current student ambassadors
      A combined approach works best: students for campus and social life, alumni for outcomes and careers.

    5. Recognise and reward alumni contributions
      Whether through formal acknowledgement, networking opportunities, or small tokens of appreciation, recognition helps sustain engagement.

    6. Monitor and support
      Keep an eye on activity levels and feedback from prospects. Be ready to step in with extra guidance if needed.


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