- Without an alumni directory, graduates face isolation
- Why directory access matters
- The solution: a free online resource
In today’s digital age, maintaining connections has never been easier—except, it seems, for university alumni.
Many graduates struggle to reconnect with old classmates or network with fellow alumni, largely because universities often restrict access to their alumni directory or charge fees for its use. Sounds counterproductive to fostering an engaged alumni community, right?
Graduates deserve access to an alumni directory that’s available online and free of charge – and this solution would benefit both alumni and the institutions themselves.
Without an alumni directory, graduates face isolation
Ten years ago, I approached my alma mater with a request: to point me in the direction of the school’s alumni directory. My goal was to share business strategies with my fellow alums and empower our community. In this meeting, not only did I learn that the school’s alumni directory lacked accuracy – but it also turned out that they lacked a solution for connecting me with my peers altogether.
I started reaching out to hundreds of alumni on LinkedIn. Through these conversations, I found that peers living far from the alma mater frequently complained of isolation and no real connection to our university. Many graduates struggle with connection in the digital age – the lack of an alumni solution only exacerbates this problem.
Why directory access matters
First and foremost, the alumni directory is an essential tool for networking. Graduates who have spent years building connections at their university should be able to tap into that network as they navigate their professional and personal lives. Having access to a robust alumni directory enables individuals to make meaningful connections. On the other hand, limiting access to this type of resource only stagnates the potential for collaboration and growth among graduates.
Secondly, providing free access to the alumni directory fosters a stronger sense of community. Alumni associations often struggle to maintain engagement with their members, particularly as graduates move further away from their college years. However, a freely available online alumni directory offers a low-barrier way for former students to stay connected to their alma mater and to one another.
From the university’s perspective, offering a free alumni directory could be a key factor in maintaining long-term relationships with their graduates. Many institutions rely on alumni donations and other forms of support to fund scholarships, research, and campus improvements. Yet, alumni who feel disconnected from their university are far less likely to contribute.
It’s also important to acknowledge that the alumni directory is a resource that graduates have effectively paid for through tuition. As paying students, alumni have invested considerable time and money in their education, making it only fair that they receive access to the community and resources they helped build. Charging alumni for access to their own network feels like an unnecessary and unjustified expense.
The solution: a free online resource
A free, easily accessible alumni directory is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. It strengthens networking opportunities, fosters a sense of community, and ensures that universities and their graduates can maintain lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. Alumni have already invested in their education; isn’t it time for a solution that invests in them?
Luckily, there are free tech solutions like Aluum tackling this exact problem. Aluum is a free online networking platform that’s revolutionizing alumni networking for the benefit of students, graduates, and universities. With free access to a global alumni directory, college graduates can simply join Aluum and start reconnecting with their college network. If this sounds like something you are looking for, sign up today.
Tom Donahue is the Founder and CEO of Aluum, a free online networking platform for college alumni.
