Connecting With Alumni
Using Online
Communities
Elizabeth Allen
Assistant Director for Communications
Caltech Alumni Association
elizabeth@alumni.caltech.edu

California Institute of
Technology (Caltech)
• Located in Pasadena, CA
• 2,100 students
– 900 undergrad
– 1200 grad
• Science & Engineering

• 21,000 living alumni
• Independent 501c3
• Dues-based membership
• ~ 9,000 Association members
– Students, postdocs eligible to join

Online Communities:
What are they?
• Group of users who connect on
the internet (self identify)
• Part of “Web 2.0” (user generated)
• Communities grow, change,
educate and police themselves