You’ve heard it many times: We’re in the relationship business. But how do you build and maintain relationships with your alumni when they’re scattered across the globe? Should you even try? For educational institutions pondering whether to implement an international alumni program or for those wishing to improve their existing programs, this book can offer guidance and insight.

This book includes a wealth of information about best practices being implemented by independent schools, colleges, universities and business schools around the world. These concrete examples look closely at managing from a distance, student-alumni programs, programming with faculty and signature programs. A comprehensive appendix list points you to hundreds of additional resources on these topics and more.

Is international alumni relations right for your institution? Let this book help you find the way to an answer.

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About the Author
With over two decades of experience in higher education and constituent relations, Dr. Gretchen Dobson is a leading global alumni relations consultant developing international advancement programs for educational institutions and non-profit organizations around the world. Gretchen Dobson LLC builds volunteer networks to advance internationalization goals such as student recruitment, academic programs, international philanthropy and overall reputational management and branding.

Dobson was recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the leading “Innovators in Internationalization” for her work at Tufts University. She is a member of the Board of Directors for United Planet, a global network of leaders and volunteers fostering cross-cultural understanding and addressing shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders.

Dobson received her B.A. and M.A. from Boston College, and her Ed.D.in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently lives in Chengdu, China.