It seems to me that more and more institutions want to create buzz about their graduation rates and their job placement rates.
“Come here and not only will you graduate, you’ll land a job!”
Sounds like the perfect pitch for a product. Buy this, get that.
That needs to change (and I think it will change).
Giving rates should be the new metric to show the success of an institution.
If you saw a stat such as, “80% of our graduates give back to the institution through monetary donations and/or volunteering their time at events.” What would you think about that institution?
For me, that shows that this institution has created ambassadors of the brand. The institution has built connections so deep that even after the cap and gown, students want to stay connected and continue to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
That says to me that the group of faculty and professionals on campus get the proverbial it. Why?
Because like a good restaurant that gets repeat customers due to outstanding service, those faculty and professionals have provided something to students that leaves them wanting to never forget it or leave it behind… a community of support, trust, and care.
Don’t show me how many students your process through the curriculum and give a degree to. Show me how successful you are at retaining your customers beyond the life of your product. Classes may end, connections don’t have to.
