For Users of New TigerNet, ‘Princeton Is Where You Are’

Each year, more than 25,000 alumni, family, and friends return for Reunions; however, not all alumni can make it back to campus. A new and updated version of TigerNet, which launched in mid-October, aims to bridge that gap by allowing alumni worldwide to connect through regional associations, affinity groups, forums (previously known as discussion boards), and a robust network of alumni.

Jennifer Caputo, deputy vice president for alumni engagement, explained that Rich Holland ’96, chair of the Princeton Alumni Council from 2019 to 2021, set the theme of his term as “Princeton is where you are.” “There’s something about that that really continues to pull through,” Caputo told PAW. “Princeton is where you are, and so we are trying to do everything we can to help find you.”

When most people think of TigerNet, they think of the alumni directory, Caputo said. With the relaunch, she hopes people will think of it as much more than that: a hub where alumni can join multiple associations, connect over shared interests, and register for events across the country.

Caputo highlighted three key improvements: stronger data privacy and security, easier access and new tools for the more than 500 alumni volunteer administrators, and a more modern interface. The site uses Hivebrite, a platform alumni have been using since 2021 to create regional, affinity, and class year groups, along with forums. The new launch expands on this and adds a new alumni directory and profile page, which is more customizable and looks similar to LinkedIn.

The directory will feature a robust search system, Caputo said. Alumni and students can search for alumni based on companies, careers, and even personal interests. Students’ information remains protected under FERPA, so alumni cannot access their contact information, but students can now join groups and forums.

“I think that will be really, really helpful for students, especially if they’re going home on break, or maybe they’re going overseas on a semester abroad or for a summer program, for them to be able to think about that way as another way to connect with alumni,” Caputo said.

New privacy settings allow alumni to control what they want to share with the network, outside of a few essential things, like their name, degree, and class year. Also, alumni are no longer limited to a single regional association but can join as many as they wish. Meanwhile, alumni administrators, also called “Tiger Techies,” can customize and design new community pages, creating tailored spaces for their groups. When alumni log in to TigerNet, they’ll have all of their groups and forums at their fingertips.