Web Strategy and Development Blog

Faculty and staff free portrait days are Feb. 7-8

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Update your MSU employee photo during faculty and staff free portrait days, Feb. 7-8 at Plaster Student Union.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 317, the office of visual media will take your photo, free of charge.

Attending this event ensures you have an appropriate profile photo on university websites. This is a great opportunity for new faculty and staff members to have their pictures taken.

Contact Chuck Busby, office of the provost, at 836-6495 if you have any questions.

Key details: free portrait days

  • Who: Missouri State University faculty and staff
  • When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 7-8
  • Where: Plaster Student Union, Room 317
  • About: Professional or business casual attire preferred. No pre-registration or cost required.

Choose the photo you want

MSU employee posing for photo during free photo days
MSU employees have the opportunity to get a professional headshot taken by the office of visual media during faculty and staff free portrait days. Photos by Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University

You’ll review and select your photo on-site at the event.

Then, web strategy and development uploads your photo to the university directory – with no extra effort on your part.

Within a few days, you can download your photo per instructions provided at the event.

Your photo is free. You can use it for other professional purposes.

Improve your digital content strategies

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You’re invited to Making Your Statement in a Digital World on Feb. 8.  Join us as we cover best practices for websites, blogs and social media.

Please register on My Learning Connection via My Missouri State. You’re welcome to bring a laptop and/or mobile device.

This is a terrific opportunity for MSU faculty, staff and students who haven’t previously attended this training session.

Key details

Attend on Zoom

Can’t attend in person? Join a live stream of the training session via Zoom.

About the session

You’ll learn practical strategies for managing websites, blogs and social media. We’ll answer questions like:

  • How do we repurpose our website and blog content and distribute it on social media?
  • What do users want my website, blog or social media to provide?
  • How do we become better strategic storytellers?
  • What are some tips and tricks we can use to make sure our site accessible and readable for all users?
  • How do we manage messaging on multiple social media channels?
  • What are some advanced strategies to increase our effectiveness on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?
  • How can we best leverage photo and video content?

Meet the trainers

Erika Brame, web strategy and development

Kai Raymer, web strategy and development

Web Press training schedule for January-May, 2019 announced

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The spring 2019 Web Press training schedule has been released.

Sessions

Sessions will be held at the following times:

  • Thursday, January 10, 2019 – 1:30-3:30 p.m., Cheek 100
  • Tuesday, January 22, 2019 – 1:30-3:30 p.m., Cheek 100
  • Monday, January 31, 2019 – 1:30-3:30 p.m., Cheek 100

Advance registration is required.

Self-guided training

Self-guided training modules are available at any time. In-person assistance is available during weekly open lab sessions held every Friday 2 – 4 p.m. Telephone and email support is available weekdays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 417-836-5271 and webpress@missouristate.edu.

Redesigned kinesiology website: A fresh look for active programs

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The redesigned kinesiology website recently launched. It’s the latest outcome of the Academic Website Project.

Academic websites have a tremendous influence on the college search process. Redesigns provide new content, design and photo/video elements.

Three specific areas we improved on kinesiology were:

Photography

Students in kinesiology undergraduate programs
All five of kinesiology’s undergraduate degree programs have hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Kinesiology has eight overall degree programs. However, the department lacked current photos.

Through several photo sessions, we gave the kinesiology website an appearance overhaul.

Getting new photos creates an accurate depiction of their programs.

Respiratory therapy students during a class.
The respiratory therapy program includes a clinical portion.

Clear application/admission language

We made it easier for future students to major in a kinesiology program.

Each program sub-site has prominent call-to-action (CTA) buttons that aid recruiting efforts. For undergraduate programs:

  • First, apply to Missouri State
  • Then, declare your major (to a kinesiology program)

The application/admission process is a bit different for graduate programs, but the concept we used remained the same.

Track options

Four of kinesiology’s five undergraduate programs include track options or emphasis areas, which are specific areas of focus within the overall program.

We wanted to make these options better known.

Track options/emphasis areas now have feature blocks that provide more information about that specific area and its outcomes.

Site credits

  • Project lead and content: Kai Raymer, content strategist in web strategy and development
  • Photography: Bob Linder, Kevin White and Jesse Scheve, visual media
  • Videography: Carter Williams, student videographer in web strategy and development
  • Design: Abby Isackson, graphic designer in editorial and design services
  • Editors: Sara Clark, director in web strategy and development and Nicki Donnelson, assistant director of university communications
  • Implementation: Student coders Alyson Jones and Nikki Jenkins along with Brian Heaton, content management programmer/analyst, in web strategy and development
  • Client: Dr. Sarah McCallister, kinesiology department head

Web Press open lab relocated through January 4, 2019

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The Web Press open labs for Friday, December 7, 2018, through Friday, January 4, 2019 have been relocated to Meyer Alumni Center suite 601.

The Web Press open lab sessions beginning Friday, January 11, 2019 will return to Cheek 100.

The regularly scheduled time of 2-4 p.m. remains in effect.

Please contact the Web Help Desk at 417-836-5271 or webpress@missouristate.edu if you have any questions.