Detective Work on a Shoestring: Tracking Undergraduate Alumni

What are public health majors doing upon graduation with a bachelor of science degree? With burgeoning interest in the undergraduate public health degree, this is a question that many students, parents, faculty, community partners, and accrediting bodies are asking of Schools of Public Health.

This presentation will focus on the strategies and results of alumni tracking from the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Preliminary results indicate that (1) undergraduate alumni are difficult to track when compared to graduate students, and (2) many students intend to pursue a post-graduate degree. Of the 552 students who have graduated since 2010, we have data on 282 undergraduate alumni. Of this group, 77 of those alums provided us with information about schools and health programs they were entering. Information given to us by another 22 students as they were graduating indicated plans to go on for further academic training but there is no proof/indication provided that they were admitted to specific programs or schools.

During the presentation, we will share specific details on what types of degrees/programs the alumni are pursuing, our strategies for tracking alumni, examine approaches for strengthening bonds and connections with undergraduate students before they graduate and share additional information yielded in our search for alumni. Participants will leave the session with tangible next steps to systematize their own alumni tracking processes. Time will also be allowed for audience members to share their experiences.