Our Vision:

SFU alumni are integral and engaged members of the SFU community, proudly contributing to
and benefiting from the achievements of SFU and their fellow alumni.

Our Goals:

1.    Build Partnerships to Expand and Strengthen Alumni Engagement

As SFU grows, alumni identify more with the faculties, departments, and units they engaged with as students, rather than the university as a whole. Virtually every unit at SFU has the opportunity to contribute in some way to stronger engagement with alumni, whether athletics, the library, residences, student clubs, faculties, departments and more. We are reaching out across campus to encourage and empower all units to become partners in alumni engagement to broaden and enrich the alumni experience.  We are strengthening partnerships with alumni volunteers, such as those involved in alumni groups worldwide and those who share time and talents with the university, the Alumni Association and students, our future alumni.

2.    Improve our Knowledge of Alumni for More Personalized Engagement

To achieve deeper and more meaningful relationships with alumni, we are treating alumni more as unique individuals whose experiences, life stages, needs, and expectations vary widely. We can’t assume that “one size fits all” and “if we build it, you will come”. We need to know more about what alumni are interested in, what you’re doing in your careers, your preferences, and how you want to be involved. By enhancing our knowledge of alumni and how you want to connect with SFU and your fellow alumni, we are better able to meet your needs and engage you more fully in the life of the university and the Alumni Association.

3.    Provide Programs and Services that Help Alumni Learn, Grow and Succeed

Alumni lead busy lives, and the numbers who engage for purely social or nostalgic reasons are declining. Surveys show that what alumni need and value most from SFU and their Alumni Association is personal and professional development, lifelong learning, intellectual engagement, and opportunities to expand their network. To help meet this need, we are providing more programs and services that help alumni develop to their fullest potential. We are demonstrating that we are sincere in wanting a lifelong relationship with alumni by providing programs that are relevant throughout your lives. We are investing in your future, just as we hope you will invest in ours.

4.    Provide Opportunities for Alumni to Help Students Learn, Grow and Succeed

Alumni tell us that one of the most meaningful and gratifying ways they can engage with SFU is through helping students, the next generation of alumni. As such, we are expanding opportunities for alumni to help students by setting them up for success. Whether by volunteering, sharing advice, guest speaking, mentoring, hiring a student, or networking, alumni can give SFU students the opportunity, encouragement, confidence and competitive edge that will help translate their dreams into reality. It’s a win-win opportunity that will positively transform both the student and alumni experience.

5.    Foster a Culture of Engagement among Students, our Future Alumni

Successful alumni engagement starts with engaging today’s students as tomorrow’s alumni. We are helping students understand the benefits of being engaged, both for themselves and their communities. We are also contributing to a more engaging learning environment for students and helping prepare them to be engaged global citizens. We are increasing opportunities for engaged and accomplished alumni to connect with students and serve as role models and mentors. And we are strengthening the contribution of alumni in key student development events such as orientation, career preparation, experiential learning, and pre and post graduation transition.

This is an ambitious and aspirational vision with benefits for both SFU and alumni. We look forward to the journey, and we invite you to join us as we strive to build an alumni engagement program worthy of one of the best universities in Canada – SFU, the Engaged University.

We welcome your input on this plan or any of our alumni programming. Please share your thoughts at alumni@sfu.ca or 778.782.GRAD (4723), Toll-free in North America: Toll free: 1.800.998.GRAD (4723).

Thank you for staying connected!