Building a University-Wide Community: New York University’s Violet Network Story

How NYU Is Scaling Alumni Engagement Across Schools, Programs, and Communities

Every institution wants stronger alumni engagement. The challenge is that engagement often happens across dozens of programs, schools, volunteer groups, mentorship initiatives, and alumni communities, each creating value in its own way, but not always connected to a broader institutional strategy. 

As institutions look to maximize resources, strengthen alumni relationships, and demonstrate impact, many are asking the same questions: 

• How do we scale engagement without scaling staff? 
• How do we support school-level priorities while creating a more connected alumni experience? 
• How do we identify which programs are driving meaningful participation and long-term affinity? 

Join leaders from New York University for a candid discussion on how they’re addressing those challenges through the Violet Network, powered by PeopleGrove. 

In this panel webinar, you’ll hear how NYU is bringing together mentorship programs, alumni clubs, volunteer initiatives, student engagement, and school-specific communities into a connected engagement ecosystem that supports both institutional goals and local community needs.  
 

Key Takeaways: 

• A proven model for scaling alumni engagement across your entire institution without losing the identity of individual schools or programs 
• Strategies for turning mentorship programs into a measurable driver of alumni engagement and institutional loyalty 
• How to get clearer visibility into ROI and community health so leadership can make more confident, informed decisions 
• The blueprint for building self-sustaining alumni communities with volunteer leaders who take ownership and drive engagement themselves 
• Practical guidance for orchestrating digital and in-person engagement across a large, decentralized institution without losing consistency or momentum 

Who should attend: VPs and Directors of Alumni Relations, Career Services, and Advancement who are responsible for justifying and maximizing their institution’s investment in alumni and student engagement, especially those managing programs across multiple schools, departments, or campuses.