1. Student Alumni Networking Dinner
Stephanie Osborn, Student Services Coordinator
Department of Psychology
2015 Alumni Dinner Schedule
5:30pm Presentation on networking and brainstorming
questions
Dinner available starting at 5:45-5:50pm
6:00pm Alumni arrive
Informal networking. Students and Alumni find their
tables and pick up their food
6:05pm Welcome
Professor and Chair Hill Goldsmith
6:10pm Students meet with first alumni table
Each table consists of one-two alumni and 2-6 students.
6:45pm Break and free networking
Students are encouraged to speak with alumni who they
are NOT assigned to meet with.
6:55pm Meeting with second alumni table
7:30pm Break and free networking
7:40pm Meeting with third alumni table
8:15pm Informal networking and end of event
What is the Student-Alumni Networking Dinner?
The Department of Psychology hosts an annual dinner bringing together
alumni and students, totaling around 110 participants. The goal of the
dinner is to help students see different career possibilities, learn more
about areas of interest, and make contacts for further exploration.
Dinner, including food, beverages and dessert, is provided.
Conversations vary depending on the students and alumni at a given
table. The department consistently receives positive feedback from
both alumni and student participants.
“The dinner is awesome and should
happen every year. My goal is to one
day be part of the alumni at
the dinner”
“The women I met with […]
ranged in ages and experience
which was very beneficial! They
were all open to sharing their
experiences and answering
questions in ways that I could
apply them to my future plans.”
“Andrea Vogel changed my life :)”
“This was a great event. I was
very nervous to attend, as I've
never gone to a networking
dinner before, but cannot
emphasize how much it was
worth it. The group setting
was very low-stress and
enjoyable, and I learned a lot
from the people I sat with. I
am definitely planning on
going next year and the
following. Thanks again!”
“It was a very nice dinner, much
fancier than I even anticipated!
Delicious.”
Outcomes
Program Evaluations (2013-2015)
 Student-Alumni meetings have led to multiple full-time jobs
post graduation
 At least one formal internship in school psychology
 Fostering relationships with alumni
 Alumni donation of $2000!
 Continued student-alumni contacts post dinner
 Alumni participation in other events
 In 2015, 4 of the 31 alumni participants attended a prior
dinner as a student
Future Directions
 Notify students of their alumni assignments prior to the dinner
 Collect “tips from alumni” prior to dinner
 Streamline registration and check-in
 Move to deposit system for students?
 Start registration for dinner 3 weeks prior to event
Previous Year Highlights
Year 7
• 2 faculty members attended; Chair gave welcome address
• Eliminated large group introductions
• Follow-up from department with one alumnus participant
led to donate to the department!
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Student Registrations
Year 6
• Implemented a twitter feed during the dinner
• Advertised the event to alumni through LinkedIn
department group and departmental newsletter
Year 5
• Student registration peaked at 97 students
• Incorporated 25 minute “Free Networking” time
Year 4
• Asked alumni to provide a “tip” for the students
• Students registered using Qualtrics survey system by
ranking alumni of interest, then tables were assigned
• Served a “Tapas” style dinner rather than buffet
Year 3
• Students registered via google doc for the specific
alumnus they wanted to meet with
• Collaborated with WAA to target alumni with specific
careers and potential donors
Year 2
• Received list of local alumni from Wisconsin Alumni
Association; send invites via email; 24 alumni participants
• Students matched with alumnus of interest, and one
outside their interest area
• The dinner was held at a local State Street restaurant
Year 1 (2009)
• 16 alumni, and 40 students registered
• Students registered by emailing their career interests
• The dinner was held at a local State Street restaurant
• Short informational interviewing session prior to dinner
90.24% 93.55%
79.17%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
2013 2014 2015
THE STUDENT:ALUMNI RATIO WAS
APPROPRIATE
92.68%
96.77% 95.83%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
2013 2014 2015
I LEARNED SOMETHING NEW
92.68%
96.77% 100.00%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
2013 2014 2015
I RECEIVED CONTACT INFORMATION FROM AN
ALUMNUS(AE)
80.49%
87.10%
91.67%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
2013 2014 2015
I WAS SATISFIED WITH THE ALUMNI I WAS
ASSIGNED TO MEET WITH
82.50%
90.32% 91.67%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
2013 2014 2015
I WOULD RECOMMEND THE DINNER TO A
FRIEND
* Above percentages are calculated using % agree and strongly agree out of a 5 point scale
* Response rate ranged from 30% to 50%