Revolutionising alumni engagement: How UC Davis Graduate School of Management’s eos platform redefines lifelong learning
Abstract
The University of California (UC) Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM) launched eos, a lifelong learning platform designed to meet alumni needs for continuous career support and professional development. Departing from traditional alumni engagement models, eos provides curated and original content to keep alumni abreast of research and events that are impacting the business world, networking opportunities and career-relevant resources, fostering deeper alumni loyalty and engagement. This paper examines the strategic rationale, development, implementation and early results of eos, offering insights and best practices for institutions seeking to enhance alumni engagement through lifelong learning. It highlights the value of adaptive strategies, user-centred design and leveraging analytics to address alumni engagement in an ever-changing landscape. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
Alicia Sullivan is the Director of eos at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management’s lifelong learning platform. She leverages her 25 years of experience in pharmaceuticals, healthcare and business to create a hub connecting alumni and students through continuous learning and professional development. Sullivan’s passion for learning aligns seamlessly with her mission to foster a vibrant community of engaged learners. Before joining UC Davis, Sullivan worked at Genentech, where she helped launch the world’s largest pharmaceutical plant. Starting as a technical writer in Quality Assurance, she advanced to system administrator in the Automation Department, driven by her dedication to acquiring new skills. She later held roles at Kane and Finkel, a pharmaceutical advertising firm and WebMD, where she ensured the accuracy of medical claims. Most recently, she served as a legislative coordinator for the California Department of Health Care Services.
Lisa Nguyen is a marketing and communications professional with expertise in branding, social media management, content strategy, online user experience, web design and digital communications. She brings a proven track record in higher education, industry and non-profit sectors, where she has led innovative marketing and communications initiatives. As the Director of Marketing and Communications at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM), Nguyen oversees the school’s web environment, social media presence, online marketing campaigns and admissions marketing and communications. She leads a team of web editors and content contributors, driving integrated messaging and leveraging technology to connect with target audiences, build community and tell impactful stories. She is passionate about creating meaningful connections through thoughtful, user-focused strategies.
Haley Belenis is a Digital Platform Specialist dedicated to both the creative and technical aspects of digital strategy and is motivated by finding innovative solutions that improve both the look and functionality of digital platforms. In her role, she supports both eos and the Graduate School of Management (GSM) website through front-end development, content and data management and digital communications. She enjoys collaborating across departments to ensure that projects not only meet user needs but also reflect the evolving landscape of the GSM’s offerings, creating an engaging and dynamic digital experience that aligns with the organisation’s broader mission.
