Alumni Podcasts: Engaging Your Alumni Community

How storytelling through podcasts can enhance alumni engagement and community involvement. Neil & Jen welcome Sarah Hillel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhillel/) from Alumni Podcasts (https://alumnipodcasts.com/) to explore the opportunities to engage alumni thru podcasting. Sarah shares her extensive background in alumni relations and discusses how storytelling through podcasts can significantly enhance alumni engagement and community involvement. They delve into the benefits of integrating historical archives into podcasts, bringing to life the stories of alumni across generations. Sarah also highlights the practical uses of podcasts as tools for recruitment and professional development, illustrating their versatility with examples from different educational institutions. The episode also covers the shifting trends in media consumption among younger audiences and discusses how educational institutions can leverage these changes to foster deeper connections through audio content. Connect with Us • Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com (mailto:hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com) • Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast (https://www.continuingstudiespodcast.com/) • Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/97470907) • Join LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14115712/ • Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferleejpodcreations/) or  jpodcreations@gmail.com  • Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/namcphedran/) or neil@podiumpodcastco.com • Twitter:  @namcphedran (https://twitter.com/namcphedran) / @podiumpodcastco (https://twitter.com/podiumpodcastco) • Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@continuingstudiespod) • HigherEdPods (https://higheredpods.com/) Episode Reference Links: • The Infinite Dial - Edison Research (https://www.edisonresearch.com/solutions/the-infinite-dial/) (Research project on podcasts Sarah discusses) • Alumni Podcasts (https://alumnipodcasts.com/) (Sarah’s podcast agency) • Sarah Hillel - LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhillel/) • King Alfred - Alfredian Voices (https://www.kingalfred.org.uk/2024/03/20/launching-our-new-kas-podcast-what-i-really-learnt-at-school-alfredian-voices/) • Management Meets Podcast (https://managementmeets.transistor.fm/) (University of Bath) • Equity In Every Drop Podcast (https://waterkeeper.org/podcast/) (Waterkeeper Alliance) • After Aston I... Podcast (https://www.aston.ac.uk/alumni/aston-life-platform/after-aston) (Aston University) Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction  Hosts Neil McPhedran and Jennifer Lee introduce guest Sarah Hillel from Alumni Podcast. (00:02:01) Background and Evolution of Alumni Podcasting Sarah Hillel discusses her background in alumni relations and the transition to alumni podcasting. (00:05:10) The Power of Storytelling in Educational Institutions The importance of storytelling in education and how institutions can utilize podcasts to connect with alumni. (00:07:34) Learning from Alumni Experiences The value of sharing alumni experiences of failures and successes and how these stories can inspire and guide current students. (00:14:39) Pirate Radio and Personal Stories Sarah shares her unique experiences with pirate radio and other personal anecdotes. (00:17:48) The Expanding Reach of Podcasts in Higher Education Research findings on podcast demographics and the strategic incorporation of podcasting in media planning for higher education. (00:19:57) The Multifunctionality of Podcasts How podcasts can be repurposed into multiple content formats enhancing outreach and engagement (00:23:32) The Future of Podcasting and Audio Content The enduring relevance of audio content and its integration with modern technology and the potential evolution of podcasting in educational contexts. (00:27:53) Conclusion • (00:00) - Introduction • (03:07) - Background and Evolution of Alumni Podcasting • (06:16) - The Power of Storytelling in Educational Institutions • (08:40) - Learning from Alumni Experiences • (15:45) - Pirate Radio and Personal Stories • (18:54) - The Expanding Reach of Podcasts in Higher Education • (21:03) - The Multifunctionality of Podcasts • (24:38) - The Future of Podcasting and Audio Content • (28:59) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026 Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing (https://qcoirfalslewtms.eventify.io/t2/tickets)