Alumni Trending Podcast

AT16. Integrated marketing, racial equity and tough conversations with Tom Bull

September 13, 2020 Paul Clifford Season 1 Episode 16
Alumni Trending Podcast
AT16. Integrated marketing, racial equity and tough conversations with Tom Bull
Show Notes Chapter Markers

What's Up Trendsetters!

Today, I talk with Tom Bull, former Executive Director of Alumni Engagement at Portland State University.
Today's trend lines include:
- alumni marketing and communication,
- trends in alumni engagement, and
- his perspective as an African-American in higher ed advancement.

Bio

Tom Bull was the executive director for the Portland State University Alumni Association serving more than 185,000 (+) graduates 2011 - January 2020. He was responsible for overseeing and managing all alumni association activities and communications including serving as a member of the Foundation's executive team for alumni engagement, Advocacy, and communications while representing the continuing interests and affinities of graduates at the University.

Tom has worked in the advancement field since 1995, serving in leadership roles for Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University and Bastyr University. He has a strong belief in supporting communities: activities include service to his alma mater alumni in various volunteer roles, professional boards, student mentoring, neighborhood and community programs. He earned a bachelor's degree at Loyola University Chicago and a master's degree from Northwestern University.



Finding a passion for alumni relations
Four Foci: Student Outreach, Strategic Communications, Volunteerism On-Campus and Volunteerism Off-campus
Strategic Communications on a budget
Connect Alumni to the University not the Association
Adjusting to culture of campus and region
Unconscious bias and slights
Public vs Private
Honest truths about being a Black professional in higher education
Being anti-racist by having conversations
Be anti-racist by showing up
Be anti-racist by learning
Fair hiring practices in higher education
Alumni Clubs now called Networks