Alumni Play a Key Role in Growing the Warrior Family

Stanislaus State is tapping into its strongest advocates - alumni - to help bring future Warriors to campus.

The new Refer a Warrior program, first introduced at the Alumni Association's Vines event in March, invites alumni to recommend prospective Stan State students through a simple online form on the University's website.

"Who's a better advocate for Stan State than an alum who can share their experiences and what Stan State was like for them?" said Director of Alumni Engagement Tiffany Davis.

The program is spearheaded by Davis and Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management Maura Gatch, who borrowed the idea from a successful referral initiative at Montana State University Northern, where she previously worked.

Refer a Warrior Today

"Alumni are such great ambassadors," Gatch said. "With Tiffany being a Stan State alum, she sees the value of the degree from Stan State and the great time she had here. In our recruitment office, we're about 90% alumni, so we already have alumni not just being great recruiters, but also in their career paths. It's a really strong fit, alumni and enrollment together."

The program is designed for alumni who interact with high school students in their families, workplaces or communities. Parents, grandparents and relatives may refer the next generation of Warriors, while educators who earned their credentials at Stan State can encourage their own students to consider following in their footsteps.

"We have a ton of alumni who work throughout the Central Valley, not just in education, but in other fields, so offering them the opportunity if they know somebody and want to share it, this is a way to do it," Gatch said.

Looking ahead, Gatch envisions a scholarship component for referred students as early as fall 2026. For now, the program's launch is supported through combined outreach efforts of Student Recruitment and Outreach, Alumni Relations and University Advancement.

"Who's a better advocate for Stan State than an alum who can share their experiences and what Stan State was like for them?"

-Tiffany Davis, Director of Alumni Engagement

Davis said the collaboration with Enrollment Services began almost as soon as she became the alumni director. She joined staff from Student Recruitment and Outreach at community tabling events.

"We reconnected with alumni who now share stories about their families-how their own children are attending Stan State or how they were inspired to come here because a parent, cousin or another family member attended," Davis said. "In some cases, they might not have known about the programs or opportunities at Stan State if it weren't for those personal connections."

For Gatch, alumni are vital to both recruitment and enrollment.

"A lot of people see alumni as the end of the student cycle or journey, but they play a very important role in recruitment and enrollment to bring in that next student," she said. "It's that full circle moment. You need strong recruitment at the beginning to get students in, but you need an engaged and energetic alumni director to continue that cycle. I think that's what we have with Tiffany. I'm excited to see where we can grow having a partner like that in the office."