alumna

An alumna is a woman who has completed a degree or other program at a college or university, or more broadly a former female student of a school. It is the feminine form of alumnus, and, together with alumnus and alumni, forms the standard set of gendered terms used to refer to graduates of higher education institutions. For a group of women, the plural is typically alumnae; for a mixed-gender group or when gender is unspecified, alumni is commonly used.

Etymology and forms: The terms derive from Latin alumnus, meaning “foster child” or “pupil,” from the verb alere “to nourish.” The feminine forms alumna and alumnae developed to distinguish female graduates in traditional Latin-based nomenclature. In contemporary usage, alumna refers to a single female graduate, while alumni or alumnae refer to groups depending on gender composition and style preference.

Usage and conventions: In formal writing, alumna is preferred when referring to a specific female graduate; for groups, alumnae or alumni are used according to the applicable gender makeup or editorial style. The informal term alum is sometimes used as a shorthand for a graduate of either sex, though it is less formal and not universally accepted as gendered.

Cultural role: Alumni networks and associations are common components of higher education institutions, fostering professional connections, philanthropy, and ongoing engagement with the school. Publications such as magazines and newsletters are often labeled as alumnae or alumni periodicals to address their readership.