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EIS Alumni Association

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1400+ EIS graduates

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Salesforce Experience Cloud and AC MemberSmart

Since its founding in 1995 as a nonprofit, the CDC Foundation has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advance public health worldwide. In collaboration with the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Program—a renowned initiative training epidemiologists since 1951—the foundation supports an expansive alumni network of over 1,400+ EIS graduates. This network not only sustains the legacy of the EIS Program but also fosters a collaborative environment for sharing experiences, research findings, and best practices among public health professionals.

Project Objectives

The primary aim was to create a dynamic digital platform that unites EIS alumni in a shared space. The portal was designed to:

  • Facilitate Connections: Enable alumni to easily find and connect with peers based on a robust, multi-select filtering system.
  • Promote Collaboration: Offer group management tools and a job board to encourage professional networking and career opportunities.
  • Enhance User Autonomy: Allow alumni to update their personal information independently, with seamless synchronization to Salesforce.
  • Showcase Events: Highlight upcoming courses, conferences, and annual meetings, keeping the community informed and engaged.
  • Streamline Data Management: Simplify the complex process of managing extensive alumni profiles, ensuring data is current and easily accessible.

Our Approach & Solution

Advanced Communities developed a bespoke, user-friendly alumni portal on the Salesforce Experience Cloud tailored specifically for the CDC Foundation’s requirements. Key components of the solution include:

  • Sophisticated Member Directory: Leveraging the AC MemberSmart app, we created an advanced directory with a multi-select filtering system. This compact design accommodates lengthy filters with up to 100 options, enabling alumni to pinpoint peers with precise characteristics.
  • Comprehensive Profile Management: Each alumni profile showcases over 40 fields—ranging from EIS assignment details to education and work histories—all arranged neatly on one page. The integration of Salesforce components with screen flows allows both the CDC Foundation staff and alumni to modify profiles effortlessly.
  • Empowered User Experience: Alumni have full control over their profiles. They can update contact details directly within the portal, with changes automatically syncing to Salesforce, ensuring the foundation always has access to accurate data.
  • Dynamic Job Board: Our custom job board allows alumni, the CDC Foundation, and even guest users to post job listings and volunteer opportunities. A personalized job digest feature automatically groups users for weekly updates, and members can adjust notification preferences to suit their needs.
  • Automated Groups Management: Custom development was used to streamline group assignments based on graduation year or EIS study focus. This automation ensures that alumni are connected to the most relevant groups, facilitating discussions and collaborations that align with their expertise.
  • Engaging Events & Resource Libraries: The portal also features event management tools to showcase upcoming and past events, along with resource libraries for sharing valuable documents and information, making it a comprehensive hub for the alumni community.
  • Ongoing Support and Training: Beyond development, Advanced Communities provided continuous knowledge support and training, helping the CDC Foundation team master Salesforce functionalities such as screen flows and object management.

The Solution in Action

Alumni Community
EIS Alumni online community homepage with buttons to connect, pay dues and support foundation
Home page of the EIS alumni community
Groups
EIS Alumni job board group feed with recent positions and weekly digest
Group for discussions and questions on the EIS alumni portal
Events
Events page with photo gallery and monthly calendar of upcoming activities
Events calendar for EIS alumni meetings
Groups
Groups directory page with sorting, filters and membership stats
A list of different groups EIS alumni can join

Benefits & Results

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Improved operational efficiency

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Enchanced member engagement

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Streamlined networking opportunities

The newly implemented alumni portal has significantly enhanced the engagement and operational efficiency of the CDC Foundation’s EIS alumni network:

  • Advanced Filtering: The multi-select filtering system makes it remarkably easy for alumni to find peers that match specific criteria, streamlining networking and collaboration.
  • User-Centric Profiles: A streamlined profile layout with extensive, customizable fields empowers alumni to maintain accurate and up-to-date personal and professional information.
  • Flexible Data Management: Salesforce flows and screen flows give the CDC Foundation staff the agility to adjust data fields without needing additional coding, ensuring that the portal evolves with the community’s needs.
  • Vibrant Job & Volunteer Board: The job board not only connects alumni to career opportunities but also actively keeps them informed through customized job digests.
  • Enhanced Community Engagement: Automated group management and a well-organized events section ensure that every alumni member can easily join relevant groups and stay updated on key activities and initiatives.
  • Empowered Self-Service: Alumni enjoy the autonomy to manage their profiles and engage with the platform, leading to a more active and connected network.

And here’s what CDC Foundation said about our performance:

Learn more about AC MemberSmart:
Visit AC MemberSmart page on the Salesforce AppExchange.

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