Portland State Needs to Court Alumni Much More

[BroadwayVik]

Many of Portland State's 150,000 alumni feel a lack of relationship with their alma mater. Most of these would probably say they feel disconnected, that they don't really care all that much. The university served its purpose in their obtaining a degree and no other need to continue a relationship is much valued.



Portland State provides the quarterly alumni magazine and more and more reasons for alums to feel proud of their university. The university still needs an overarching campaign to accompany these good measures. The university needs to start a campaign to remind and reinforce why Portland State is a smart and highly-defensible investment in higher education. PSU alums need to feel good and politically strong about their choice. Good memories (and history) also need to gathered and framed in a poetic, romantic style; there needs to be an element of seduction in this campaign, led by emotionally-prized leadership, or even outside consultants who can provide this. Simple, powerful and true. Take what is here and make it emotionally well-organized. Return on Emotional Investment (ROEI) has to be made a reward of being a PSU alumnus too.

 

[CaseyOrourke]

Portland State Alum here. I'm currently working in Suzhou, China, teaching history and human geography in a Chinese high school's American High School Program for Chinese kids planning on going to college in the US. Since Portland and Suzhou are sister cities and PSU's Confucius institute is associated with Suzhou University, PSU's international department reps are frequent visitors. I usually try to keep up and give them a standing invite to visit and talk to my students about PSU and college in general.

So far I've had one student attend PSU, but I'm always looking for more to apply. They don't need to court me, I wear my PSU Jersey or long sleeve T shirt as often as I can, I have a PSU pennant by my desk and FWIW, a link to PSU's page with US News and Business Report.

 

[pdxfan]

You're certainly doing more than your share, Casey. It's good to know PSU is out there in the world.

 

[forestgreen]

Portland State Alum here. I'm currently working in Suzhou, China, teaching history and human geography in a Chinese high school's American High School Program for Chinese kids planning on going to college in the US. Since Portland and Suzhou are sister cities and PSU's Confucius institute is associated with Suzhou University, PSU's international department reps are frequent visitors. I usually try to keep up and give them a standing invite to visit and talk to my students about PSU and college in general.

So far I've had one student attend PSU, but I'm always looking for more to apply. They don't need to court me, I wear my PSU Jersey or long sleeve T shirt as often as I can, I have a PSU pennant by my desk and FWIW, a link to PSU's page with US News and Business Report.

We need to clone you! I try to be an advocate for PSU in my own circle, too.