ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD APPROVES 2021 ALUMNI SURVEY REPORT
Contact: Wes Huey, Executive Director, Strategic Communications
USNA Alumni Association and Foundation
410-295-4023
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees approved the findings of a comprehensive alumni survey conducted in April 2021. The survey response analysis material will be shared with alumni in early February via www.usna.com, and via Wavetops and other Alumni Association social media channels later in February. There will be virtual briefings of the survey findings over the next several months in coordination with Board Regional, Chapter and Class President Decade Trustees. The analysis will help develop and enhance programs, opportunities and strategies to better deliver on its mission: “initiating and sponsoring activities which perpetuate the history, traditions, memories and growth of the Naval Academy and bind alumni together in support of the highest ideals of command, citizenship and government.”
Seeking to better engage with its global alumni base, as well as gaining an understanding of current experiences and perceptions among all alumni, the Naval Academy Alumni Association fielded a comprehensive survey in April 2021. Over 5,700 alumni participated in this survey.
The survey results demonstrate the Naval Academy has an alumni community that is passionately committed to supporting its alma mater and each other through the shared experiences as midshipmen and serving in uniform.
As the Alumni Association and Foundation processes and incorporates the survey findings into strategic planning, it will use survey feedback and data to address several key objectives:
• Understand how a member’s attitudes toward the Alumni Association are shaped by that individual’s engagement within the community and with the Alumni Association and Foundation.
• Understand and assess any identified gaps between how current Alumni Association and Foundation roles, opportunities and programs function relative to how alumni would like them to function in the future.
• Understand and assess what additional programs and services may be needed or would be helpful to support our alumni community in the future.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the over 5,700 alumni who responded to the survey. Be assured your responses and personal comments are part of our continuing analysis,” said Alumni Association Board of Trustees Chairman Admiral Mark Ferguson ’78, USN (Ret.). “Your passion for the Naval Academy is clearly evident to all of us on the Board of Trustees. With the release of the survey comes our commitment to translate what we have heard into action, building on our successes and making our Association stronger for current and future generations of alumni.”
Alumni Association Board of Trustees Vice-Chairman, and former Chair of the Special Committee for Alumni Culture, Diversity and Inclusion, Lieutenant General David Beydler ’81, USMC (Ret.) said the survey identified growth areas for improving alumni culture and outreach. That includes improved communications, events, programming, and mentorship opportunities.
“While the Alumni Association is blessed with an engaged alumni base, our aim is providing the best experiences for all alumni,” Beydler said. “There are opportunities to be more inclusive and improve communications regarding the mission, role, objectives, and priorities of the Alumni Association and Foundation. The survey results reflect an appreciation for the many services the Alumni Association delivers, while also challenging us to adopt measures that will benefit all alumni in more meaningful ways.”
Alumni Association and Foundation CEO and President Byron Marchant ’78 said the feedback from the survey will help shape the organization’s strategic vision and goals going forward.
“We want to thank our valued alumni community for their patience as we were very thoughtful in both our design of this survey and the initial analysis of survey data. Along with feedback from alumni on the report itself, these results will immediately inform our efforts to develop the next Strategic Plan 2030 for the Alumni Association.” Marchant said. “Our biggest takeaway from the analysis is that there is an enormous opportunity for improved engagement across the eight decades of alumni. Together, we’ll make it happen.”
Look for further information on www.usna.com in early February for survey material and a schedule of virtual briefings.