Identifying Exposure and Experiences That Support the Development of Consistent Alumni Volunteerism

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: AERA 2016 Division J Section 3: Organization, Management, and Leadership Posters

Abstract

In this study, I investigated how exposure and experiences to volunteerism in childhood, during college, and as alumni influence choices to volunteer. Use of an ecological theory of development served as a guide to explore how personal, institutional, and environmental interactions influence alumni behaviors and holistically shape the development of alumni volunteerism. I conducted a two-stage, in-person phenomenological interview sequence with each participant. Each was asked to describe their volunteer experiences and to reflect on the meaning that these experiences held for them, as well as to provide life histories of their volunteer activities. Findings show developing strong connections, maintaining relationships, and feeling a sense of belonging to the university and fellow alumni influence the development of consistent alumni volunteerism.

Author

• Lisa Christine Guzman, University of Michigan