Predictors of Alumni Association Membership

Abstract

The authors examined factors associated with membership of university graduates in the dues-based alumni association of their alma mater. Logistic regression was used to analyze variables that came from survey responses and from an existing database. All participants had attended a public doctoral-granting research university in the South. Graduates were more likely to be alumni association members if they: (a) were donors, (b) had a telephone number on record, (c) were relatively older, (d) had positive experiences as alumni, (e) had positive perceptions of the alumni association, (f) were more frequently involved with the alma mater, and (g) were aware of other members of the alumni association. Alumni were less likely to be alumni association members if they were: (a) employed at the alma mater, (b) had a higher level of degree attainment, (c) had positive feelings about student experiences, and (d) had positive university perceptions. Empirical testing confirmed the utility of several variables of the prediction model in identifying the best prospects for alumni association membership.