Chapter development is an excellent way to reach out to alums, especially in places like Chicago and Springfield, where SIUE is not in the news as regularly as in the St. Louis area media. SIUE alumni have been developing chapters in Chicago, East St. Louis and Springfield in just the last few months. Billups says chapter organizations and events keep alumni involved. We want them to take ownership, and we want to help them stay in touch with their university. Chapter organizations help keep alumni informed.
Constant communication is important to the task of keeping everyone pumped up.
If events are done right, they are an easy way to get everyone on board. But, we have to show people a good time, and give them a reason to keep coming back. Billups grew up in the Quad Cities, went south to SIUC for college, north to Chicago and now to Southwestern Illinois for the SIUE position. SIUE's reputation is growing across the state. We can capitalize on that growing reputation and recognition with alumni, and we can draw on alumni enthusiasm to help enhance SIUE's reputation.