These last few months have seen exciting developments in our higher education practice, as we’ve welcomed several renowned institutions to our client family. Our research and assessment work with these universities will help them understand, track, and enhance engagement among both students and alumni.

In the summer of 2011, we were selected by Stanford University’s Office of Development to conduct research among the university’s donors, which includes many alumni. Unlike many donor studies, this project took a “360 degree” look at how gift stewardship supports the long-term donor relationship, involving not only a donor survey and interviews but also qualitative research with the recipients and managers of those donations: Stanford faculty and staff. It has been a pleasure to support the work of an institution widely considered the gold standard in donor and alumni stewardship.

With UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, we’re well underway on a year-long study of the school’s key external audiences: prospective students, admitted students, alumni, and corporate recruiters. The research findings will be used to strengthen this leading MBA program in a number of areas and support a new strategic planning process being led by Dean Judy Olian.

Slover Linett’s president, Cheryl Slover-Linett, is an alumna of UCLA Anderson. “It’s a particular pleasure for me to be helping my alma mater,” she says. “The faculty I worked with in my late twenties influenced me tremendously. They’re why I became a researcher.”

Last month, Georgetown University turned to Slover Linett to help analyze findings from a recent assessment of their general education curriculum. Our analysis is identifying important implications within the data and comparing outcomes among various sub-groups within the student population. We look forward to presenting findings to Georgetown’s provost, deans, and faculty in February.

For more information about these engagements, or our research work for other higher education institutions, please contact Bill Hayward by email or at (773) 348-9215.

Category: Higher education