Department of History
CSU Fort Collins
ROLE | Lead UX, Graphic Design, and Researcher
TOOLS | Figma, Adobe CC
The PROBLEM
The department was struggling to attract and retain a diverse student body, as evidenced by a decline in submitted applications and a reduction in alumni engagement. By fostering a more active alumni network, the department aimed to encourage mentorship, networking opportunities, and practical insights to current and prospective students, thereby enriching their educational experience and demonstrating the value of a history degree. Additionally, an increase in alumni involvement translates to an increase in donations, which are crucial for funding scholarships, research, and special programs, ultimately boosting the department's standing and educational quality.
The project's objectives were twofold: to improve immediate metrics like application rates and to ensure long-term reputation and financial stability and to maintain the department's reputation as a vibrant and integral part of the university, known for producing graduates who excel both within and beyond academia.
Getting to know the user
Alex, an ambitious high school senior or recent college graduate, is exploring degree options and campus life at CSU. Alex is looking for clear information about academic programs, extracurricular activities, career opportunities, and what makes CSU unique to determine if it’s the right fit.:
Taylor, a junior majoring in History, is focused on maintaining good academic standing while engaging in campus life and preparing for post-graduation. Taylor needs easy access to academic resources, information on internships and scholarships, and updates on campus events to enhance their college experience.
Jordan, a proud CSU graduate, wants to stay connected with their alma mater and remain involved in the college community. Jordan looks for updates on department achievements, upcoming alumni events, and ways to contribute or stay engaged with current students and faculty.
Chris, a parent of a current or prospective student, is concerned about the value of their child’s education, campus safety, and overall experience. Chris seeks reassurance that their investment in CSU is worthwhile, that their child is in a safe environment, and that the college provides a positive and enriching experience.
Dr. Morgan, a faculty member in the History Department, needs an efficient way to manage and access departmental documents, forms, and resources. Dr. Morgan seeks a centralized, user-friendly platform to streamline administrative tasks and support their work with students and colleagues.
Introduce your brand
The users read through an average of 2.5 pages but were not finding the information they were after or the experiences unique to the department; such as study abroad, career opportunities, etc. During realtime observation testing, I discovered that number of prospective students simply moved on because they could not find these pages. The navigation was frustrating them and they were losing patience.
In response, an audit of the site was completed and all but the most essential data to each user set was eliminated and the information they wanted and that our stakeholders wanted them to see were brought front and center. The interviews and surveys exposed many pain points and provided great clarity into what the non-negotiables were for the various user groups.
The Solution
After a number of iterations, the prototype testing and interview sessions revealed a clear direction. The site architecture was revamped around the user, not the content. Each user group had a single all encompassing page with everything relevant filed neatly within reach.
Released in the summer of 2020 amid the upheaval of COVID, the college saw a 6% in new students entering the History program the following fall. Once COVID restrictions lifted engagement in internships and study abroad options significantly increased, though there is not enough data to determine if this is related to the ease of access provided by the new site or the sweet freedom undergraduates feel getting back out in the world. Perhaps we will never know.
