Abstract
In efforts to serve our students in a more comprehensive way by supporting both their educational and professional pursuits, UNH looks to heavily invest in mentorship and connecting students and alumni. To do this, we identified and sourced technology that would help create a scalable online community that creates engagement between alumni and student for professional relationship building. This online community is now called Wildcat Connections. In order to launch this community, a committee of Alumni Relations and Career and Professional Success staff, and Alumni and Students was created to produce an RFP for potential vendors, vet and customize the technology. First, the platform was launched to a pilot group for feedback which consisted of Alumni Association board members and student group leaders. After adjustments were made based on the feedback it was launched first to alumni then to students. Ultimately, we learned that this program was positively received and wildly accepted however, we are constantly facing challenges with continued use and engagement by those in the community.
