Merging alumni engagement and career services with John Jensen

As universities rethink how they support students and engage alumni, some have been experimenting with a bold structural shift: bringing alumni engagement and career services together under the advancement umbrella. On this episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris sit down with John Jensen, Executive Director of Alumni and Career Services at Washington and Lee University, to explore what happens when these two functions are intentionally integrated.

John shares the decision-making process that led to this merger at W&L and what has been hardest to align operationally and culturally. The conversation examines whether this model represents a growing trend or a structure that only works in select institutional environments.

In the bonus segment, John discusses programs that demonstrate the power of integrated engagement and career development, including mentoring, internships, and experiential learning. He reflects on how this approach supports campaign priorities, shapes the student-to-alum transition, and redefines success within advancement.

This episode of Alumless is made possible by our season sponsors Protopia, AlumniQ, and Givzey.