You can feel the crispness of fall in the air. This can only mean one thing—it’s time to don your favorite colors and head back to campus to relive some college memories. It’s homecoming season for colleges and universities across the country. While most institutions of higher learning take this opportunity to celebrate school spirit for an entire week, it’s more than parades, tailgate parties and football games.

Engaging Alumni
Homecoming offers an opportunity to roll out the red carpet for alumni and show them the campus of today. While several traditional events are planned on campus, this is also an opportunity to demonstrate new programs available to the students of today. As alumni, you can look for ways to get involved from mentoring students to volunteering to sit on steering committees, even if you can’t make the trip.

Engaging Students
Most schools organize community service projects during homecoming week. From blood drives and canned food collection to beautification projects, these activities give students an opportunity to get involved beyond their campus and become a member of the community as a whole.

So as you rally around your favorite team this homecoming season, think of ways you can get involved beyond the cheering section.