'alumni-focused' is a compound of two elements. 'Alumni' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'alumnus', where 'alumnus' meant 'foster son, pupil'. 'Focused' derives from 'focus', a Latin word meaning 'hearth' or 'center', borrowed into English and used figuratively for a center of attention.

The Latin 'alumnus' entered English as 'alumnus' with the plural 'alumni'; 'focus' was borrowed into English in the 17th century and later formed the past-participle/adjectival 'focused'. The compound adjective 'alumni-focused' emerged in modern English usage (notably 20th century onward) in institutional and organizational contexts.

Originally 'alumnus' meant 'foster son' and 'focus' meant 'hearth/center'; over time these shifted to 'graduate' (alumnus) and a figurative 'center/priority' (focus), producing the modern sense of 'alumni-focused' as 'centered on or prioritizing graduates'.