Connect with your department’s alumni and friends by using Dispatch to send University of Iowa branded communications. Dispatch allows you to track relevant email analytics to better understand your audience and inform content strategies that are engaging. Unlike print, e-newsletters are accessible and less time consuming.
Why have an alumni newsletter?
An alumni newsletter is a valuable tool for departments to maintain connections and to strengthen relationships with their graduates and friends. However, consider your team’s capacity and resources before committing.
Not sure where to begin? Email clas-marcom@uiowa.edu to schedule a consultation and we will help guide you.
What template should I use?
There are many HTML email templates to choose from depending on the number of news items highlighted in your newsletter. The best part of using curated templates is the ability to customize them to meet your needs.
4 news items: UI 1 row x 1 col + 2 rows x 2 cols - Version 2
8 news items: UI 1 row x 1 col + 4 rows x 2 cols - Version 2
10 news items: UI 1 row x 1 col + 5 rows x 2 cols - Version 2
How do I find or create content?
Your website is the foundation for communications. Publish content, such as news, press releases, or blog posts on your department’s website by viewing the Unit Content Creation and Strategy section in our toolkit.
Check out our website, Iowa Now, and Iowa Stories for the latest stories.
For web access to your department’s website, your administrator should email michael-cranston@uiowa.edu.
How often should I send my alumni newsletter?
For most departments, one to two newsletters per year is enough to keep alumni engaged without overwhelming them. This cadence allows you time to gather meaningful content.
Examples
Need inspiration? Check out alumni newsletters from a few of our departments:
What content should I highlight?
Showcase the impact of your department and foster meaningful connections with alumni and friends. Consider including a mix of these content types:
Alumni achievements
Spotlight notable accomplishments from your graduates, such as career milestones, community service, awards, or personal stories of impact.
Program innovations and growth
Highlight new academic programs, courses, research, or initiatives that demonstrate how your department is shaping academia and industries.
Alumni engagement
Showcase how alumni are giving back to your department through mentoring students, guest lecturing, or serving on advisory boards.
Student and faculty success
Feature stories about your current students and faculty making an impact through awards, research breakthroughs, community engagement, or experiential learning opportunities.
Upcoming events
Promote events where alumni can participate, such as reunions, celebrations, department anniversaries, or seminars.
Department news
Share administrative updates, strategic initiatives, or significant milestones like leadership changes, building renovations, or grant achievements that demonstrate your department’s ongoing success.
Note: You can organize news items by subject matter by filling out the row section headers.
Additional support
The University of Iowa brand manual provides more detail about best practices for using Dispatch. For more support, visit the Dispatch resource page or email dispatch-support@uiowa.edu.
We’re here to help
The CLAS Marketing and Communications team strives to provide you with the resources you need to make your marketing work easier. This includes access to the CLAS Communicators Network, which meets regularly to provide marketing and communications training, sharing, and networking to our employees.
If you have questions or suggestions, or would like to join the CLAS Communicators Network, please email clas-marcom@uiowa.edu.