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Alumni & Donor Engagement Assistant

Northern Michigan University - Student Employment
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Alumni & Donor Engagement Student Assistant

NMU Foundation and Alumni Relations | Student Employment Position

Reports to: Director, Alumni & Donor Engagement

Position Summary

The Alumni Engagement Assistant supports the day-to-day work of NMU's Foundation and Alumni Relations office, with a focus on alumni and donor engagement, event support, research, stewardship, and Alumni Advisory Board projects. This position provides hands-on experience with event planning and execution, alumni and donor outreach, constituent research, and the behind-the-scenes work that helps build strong relationships with the NMU community.

You will work directly with the Director, Alumni & Donor Engagement and other members of the Foundation and Alumni Relations team. The position includes a mix of independent projects, administrative work, and opportunities to interact with alumni, donors, campus partners, and event guests.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Alumni and Donor Outreach & Research

  • Call alumni and donors to invite them to upcoming events.
  • Use university systems and software to research contact, graduation, degree, and other key information.
  • Prepare guest lists, contact lists, biographical information and other engagement materials.
  • Handle alumni and donor information confidentially.

2. Event Planning and On-Site Support

  • Research venues, hotels, accommodations, and other event logistics.
  • Maintain event timelines, guest lists, registration information, and planning documents.
  • Provide on-site support at local alumni events and President's Box activities.
  • Assist with setup, registration, hospitality, photography, and other event needs.
  • Occasional evening and weekend availability is expected for events.

3. Post-Event Stewardship

  • Help create thank-you videos, notes, cards, and emails.
  • Organize event photos, attendance information, and follow-up items.
  • Support timely follow-up with alumni, donors, volunteers, and guests.
  • Assist with other post-event stewardship activities.

4. Alumni Advisory Board Support

  • Organize Alumni Advisory Board files in Google Drive.
  • Organize member documents and committee materials as needed.
  • Assist with upcoming transition of board information to a new software platform.

5. Administrative and Special Projects

  • Assist with spreadsheets, contact lists, mailings, and office projects.
  • Organize and maintain office files and resources.
  • Assist with alumni engagement, volunteer outreach, and special projects.
  • Help improve organization and efficiency in alumni engagement projects.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

  • Careful attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
  • Professional and friendly communication skills, including comfort speaking with alumni, donors, and other guests by phone and in person.
  • Ability to work independently between check-ins and keep track of deadlines and multiple projects.
  • Comfort learning and using new software, databases, Google Drive, spreadsheets, and other digital tools.
  • Ability to handle alumni and donor information confidentially.
  • Professional presence around alumni, donors, university leadership, campus partners, and other university guests.
  • Willingness to assist with occasional evening and weekend events in the Marquette County area.

Nice to have

  • Coursework or experience in Hospitality Management, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Business, Event Management, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
  • Experience with event planning, customer service, phone outreach, or working with the public.
  • Experience with Google Workspace, spreadsheets, databases, CRM systems, or similar software.
  • Interest in NMU history, Marquette, alumni relations, philanthropy, or higher education.
  • Interest in learning more about nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, and alumni engagement.

How the Alumni Engagement Assistant role works

  • Hours: 10-20 hours/week during the academic year.
  • Compensation: $15.00/hour.
  • Term: Fall 2026 semester, with the expectation of continuing through spring.
  • Work location: NMU Foundation and Alumni Relations office, with occasional local event work in the Marquette County area.

To Apply

Send a resume to Kelsey Lynch, Director, Alumni & Donor Engagement at kelynch@nmu.edu. Students interested in this position may also be asked to participate in a brief interview.