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Board hears universitywide alumni engagement report: 641,000 living alumni, $65.9B economic impact in Minnesota
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Summary
University advancement and University of Minnesota Alumni Association leaders told the Board of Regents the system now counts 641,000 living alumni, 62% of whom live in Minnesota, and cited a campuswide alumni model to increase coordinated engagement, mentoring and recruitment.
University of Minnesota advancement and alumni leaders presented a universitywide alumni engagement report to the Board of Regents, saying the alumni network now includes 641,000 living graduates worldwide, with about 62% living in Minnesota, and that alumni collectively contribute an estimated $65.9 billion to the state economy.
Nut graf: Presenters described a shift toward a coordinated, systemwide alumni strategy aimed at amplifying the value of all five campuses' alumni networks for recruitment, student mentoring, advocacy and philanthropy while preserving each campus' distinct identity.
Kevin Thompson, director of advancement and alumni relations at Crookston, summarized system-level engagement metrics and introduced campus presenters. The report highlighted several measures of alumni impact: a statewide economic contribution estimate of $65.9 billion, an alumni market listing more than 250 alumni-owned businesses, and more than 16,000 mentors and role models registered on the UMAA's Maroon and Gold Network.
Lindsey Hemker of Rochester and other campus presenters described alumni's role in Minnesota's health-care workforce, community mentorship and local entrepreneurship. "Around 70% of the state's health professional workforce are trained right here at the university," Hemker said, citing Rochester campus outcomes and alumni serving in rural clinics and regional hospitals.
Jeff Lamberti (Morris) and Matt Duffy (Duluth) detailed alumni activities that support enrollment and student success: alumni acting as ambassadors at college fairs, mentoring programs that matched hundreds of students with alumni, and volunteer efforts that include advisory boards and interview panels for scholarships. UMAA CEO Lisa Lewis said the association will convene an advisory group over the next year to develop a framework for deeper universitywide alumni coordination while honoring each campus' unique relationship with its graduates.
Regents and presenters discussed how alumni engagement supports recruitment, legislative advocacy and fundraising. The UMAA noted more than 1,100 alumni advocates took action in the past year and more than 36,000 alumni donated in FY24, contributing $218 million in donations. Presenters said alumni volunteers also helped with regional advocacy events and webinars on federal policy affecting higher education.
Ending: Regents praised the campus presenters and encouraged further work to deploy the alumni network in support of enrollment, student success and legislative outreach. UMAA leaders said they will return with an implementation framework for system-level coordination in the coming year.
