publichealth.ualberta.ca

We asked you. You told us.

In January 2011, a new alumni chapter was approved by the University of Alberta for all

graduates of programs offered by the School of Public Health. Our new, unified group—the

School of Public Health Alumni Chapter—was launched in cooperation with the executives of

two previous associations.

This new chapter represents our enthusiasm and commitment to re-establish connections

among alumni, as well as between our alumni and the School.

With this new chapter up and running, we wanted to check in with alumni. In February 2012, we

invited you to participate in an online survey so that we could learn about your impressions of

the School, as well as get your feedback on how you’d like to connect with us and each other.

Here’s what you had to say.

Alumni EngAgEmEnt SurvEy 2012

Results

We sent a link to an online survey to all alumni with an up-to-date email address in the University’s database. The link was sent to 571 individuals. Almost 20% of those people—110—responded to the survey.

Those who responded to the survey represent a broad cross section of all School alumni. Together, they include those who graduated from all degree programs offered over 50+ years. While most live in and around Edmonton, some live across Canada and beyond.

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PArticiPAtion

Identification with UAlberta units

UAlberta 94%

School of Public Health 76%

Department of Public Health Sciences 52%

Centre for Health Promotion Studies 43%

Other UAlberta units 36%

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 31%

How alumni get news about the School

Healthe-news, the School’s monthly e-newsletter 68% New Trail / e-Trail, the University’s alumni magazine 51% Other alumni 27%

Impressions of the School % that agreed

School has had a positive impact on my career 84%

Satisfied with own overall graduate experience 83%

Would recommend the School to prospective students 81%

Overall impression of School is positive 81%

School has had a positive impact on students’ careers 79%

School has had a positive impact on my life 77%

School has had a positive impact on students’ lives 73%

your imPrESSionS

Over the years, we’ve gone through administrative changes that may be confusing for alumni. The School of Public Health, our faculty and the home of your graduate program, was formed in 2006.

We wanted to know whether you identify with the School or with a different administrative unit. We also asked you to reflect on your impressions about the impact the School has had on you and others. Finally, we wanted to know how you’re connecting to learn about what’s going on in the School.

This is what you told us.Here’s what we’re working on:

Contributing content about the School and its people – including alumni - to New Trail, the University’s alumni magazine.

Building a strong, recognizable School of Public Health Alumni Chapter that strengthens alumni connections.

Adding alumni to

Healthe-news list,

the School’s monthly

e-newsletter.

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Types of information alumni are interested in receiving % interested

Alumni news 97% Research news 96% Job & career postings 83%

Upcoming events 80% Student-led initiatives 80%

WAyS to connEct

How alumni describe involvement with our alumni chapter

Have not been involved 61%

Did not know about the chapter 44%

Interest in ways of connecting with the School % interested

Monthly email news bulletin 90%

Online community specifically for alumni 64%

Facebook page 52%

LinkedIn groups 46%

Alumni interest in various events % interested

Research seminars 55% Informal mixers 37% Mentoring events for students 36%

School event at UAlberta Reunion Weekend 30%

Continuing to feature

the news alumni are

interested in and sh

areing

through Healthe-news,

website and LinkedIn.

Here’s what we’re working on:

As alumni of the School of Public Health, you are our ambassadors and today’s leaders in public health.

That’s why we want to find ways for you to connect with each other, the School and future graduates. We hope to foster reciprocal, meaningful and relevant opportunities to share knowledge, experience and networks.

We asked you who you want to connect with and how, and what you want to learn.

Here’s what you had to say.

Launching LinkedIn profile and group for alumni, faculty, staff and students to connect and share – regardless of where they live, work and play.

Enhancing the alumni section of the School’s website by incorporating relevant and interesting content.

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Exploring opportunities

for get togethers and

ways to connect with

alumni who live out

of province.

Importance of various opportunities % that said important

Participate in professional development 93% Learn about School developments 88%

Re-connect with people 88% Meet new alumni, students and faculty 78%

How can we make it easer to connect?

We invited you to share your ideas about how we can make it easier for you to connect with us and each other. You gave us a lot to consider, and many of your suggestions are reflected in the items shown here.

However, the following comments nicely sum up the challenge we all face when we don’t live in the same place and the desire you expressed to stay connected.

“Reach out from the Edmonton centric focus of the School and alumni.”

“The most important thing is to keep in touch, although we are active apart from each other.”

WAyS to connEct

Here’s what we’re working on:

Working with the School’s alumni chapter and students’ association to organize activities that connect and build community among alumni, students and the School.

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publichealth.ualberta.ca

ContaCt Us Office of Marketing and Alumni Relations School of Public Health, University of Alberta 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy 11405 - 87 Ave, Edmonton AB T6G 1C9 Canada

780.492.1982 events.publichealth@ualberta.ca

sChool of pUbliC health alUmni ChapterThe School of Public Health Alumni Chapter was approved in 2011 as an alumni chapter under the auspices of the University of Alberta Alumni Association. The purpose of the chapter is to promote and support the goals of the School of Public Health, the University of Alberta Alumni Association, and the University of Alberta.

exeCUtive (2011-2012)Your chapter executive is committed to fostering strong relations among alumni and the School.

Penny Lightfoot (MHSA ’83); chairRichard Currie (MHSA ’89); directorXimena Ramos Salas (MSc ‘07); directorEmma Wilkins (MPH ‘10); directorMelissa Visconti; School of Public Health Students’ Association representativeAndrea Lauder; marketing and alumni associate, School representativeDonna Richardson; director of marketing and alumni relations, School representative

@UofAPublicHlth SPHUofA

School of Public Health, UAlberta

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