How do we develop effective alumni networks in agricultural leadership programs?

Education is, of course, a key part of adult agricultural leadership development programs (ADPs). However, that is not the only purpose of these programs. They are also excellent for developing networks of professionals who can influence the industry for many years to come. These alumni networks are a big part of the impact that a program can have on the industry. Graduates who stay engaged will continue to share resources, knowledge, and opportunities with others, which benefits the industry. To look into this matter more closely, I worked with a team to analyze 23 ADPs. In total, there were 2200 individuals included from 262 different cohorts. For the study, I specifically looked at predictors of individual intentions to take part in alumni programming.

Key Findings:

• Group Dynamics Matter: Perhaps not surprisingly, satisfaction on a group level was a strong indicator of alumni participation. A positive collective experience in the group drives ongoing engagement in the future.

• Unexpected Outcomes in Opinion Leadership: When there were high levels of opinion leadership within a cohort, that group was less likely to participate in alumni programs. One possible explanation for this connection is that those who already see themselves as strong leaders might not think they need to stay engaged with other alumni.

Recommendations:

• Balancing Individual and Group Needs: Knowing that the group experience is important, educators should design programs that optimize for both the individual experience and the group dynamics. This approach will be more likely to encourage long term engagement among the program’s participants.

• Encouraging Continuous Learning: Reinforcing the value of ongoing learning and leadership can help as well. When participants are reminded that participating in alumni networks is valuable, even those who are opinion leaders will be more likely to stay engaged.

It could be argued that maintaining a strong network might be as important as participating in the LDP itself. The networks of alumni that are created through agricultural LDPs not only benefit individuals, but also the industry as a whole. Understanding the dynamics within these groups makes it possible to design programs that will both educate the students and develop a strong community of leaders within the agricultural and food system. I've included the full article below if you would like to learn more. Please be sure to share your insights using the comments.

LeadershipProgramParticipation.pdf

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Lamm, K. W., & Lamm, A. J. (2019). A multi-level evaluation of the relationship between leadership program satisfaction, opinion leadership, and intent to participate in alumni programs. Journal of Leadership Education, 18(4), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.12806/V18/I4/R4