Annual Report 2020-’21

We all have endured many challenges this past year, and we have learned a lot. We are proud of the creative ways in which our team managed through a complex, uncertain health crisis that we are all still navigating today. Thanks to your support and dedication, the Association continued its vital work to advocate for the University of Kansas, communicate with Jayhawks in all media, recruit students and volunteers, serve students and alumni, and unite far-flung Jayhawks online. Our successes would not be attainable without your leadership and commitment to KU and your alumni association.

A few highlights include:

• The Jayhawk Career Network continued to grow through the pandemic. More than 9,000 Jayhawks are making thousands of career connections through KU Mentoring+, which has expanded to gather Jayhawks who share common professions, cultures, and civic and social interests.

• Paid membership in the Association grew by 2,800 alumni. In addition, we updated thousands of biographical records through the KU Alumni Directory Project to help Jayhawks remain connected to KU and one another.

• We hosted our first virtual fundraiser, Jayhawks Flock Together, and raised more than $70,000 for KUAA programs and $20,000 for KU Campus Cupboard to help students and other community members who face food insecurity.

• We launched our dramatically redesigned website, kualumni.org, which features timely, relevant content and improved navigation to more easily connect you with the information and resources you need. We also unveiled kuconnection.org, a convenient calendar of online and in-person events hosted by the Association and units across KU.

• The Association, KU Endowment and the University broke ground on the new Jayhawk Welcome Center, connected to a renovated Adams Alumni Center. The state-of-the-art complex will usher in a new era of KU student recruitment by creating unparalleled campus visits. When prospective students walk through our doors, we want them to see how KU, at every step of the way, will position them for success as students and as alumni. We will create modern spaces for prospective students and families, current students, alumni, faculty and staff while preserving the best of history and tradition. We’re eager to welcome you to your new home on the Hill!

These pages offer many details about the Association’s progress toward strategic goals and our ongoing efforts to strengthen the University.

One of the most important ways in which we can lift one another and our proud alma mater is by dedicating resources to measurably improve diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Our goal is to ensure that the KU Alumni Association creates a community where all Jayhawks rise — where every person is seen, heard, celebrated and feels a sense of belonging. We have completed an internal survey to identify our strengths and opportunities, formed a committee dedicated to culture and belonging, and we are collaborating with more than a dozen KU partners in this comprehensive effort. We look forward to sharing more about our progress in the coming year.

Looking ahead, considerable challenges remain and many opportunities are on the horizon. We are privileged to serve KU as a trusted, strategic partner, striving to enhance student and alumni experiences through our programs and services — all made possible by YOU. Thank you.

We believe Jayhawks are stronger together! Rock Chalk!