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Meet our newest team member: Valerie Cummings

October 20, 2020 by admin

Valerie Cummings headshot

The web strategy and development office is pleased to welcome Valerie Cummings to our staff.

Valerie comes to us from Missouri State Outreach, where she spent over 25 years as the Director of Marketing and Promotions. In this role, Valerie designed and managed the Outreach website.

She also managed various projects and marketing campaigns, and developed front end coding skills that she’ll be using in her position as front end designer/developer.

We are very excited have Valerie join our team, and look forward to all the experience and talent that she will bring.

Filed Under: web strategy and development Tagged With: marketing and communications, web strategy and development

Redesigned kinesiology website: A fresh look for active programs

December 5, 2018 by Kai Raymer

Students and children in kinesiology class.

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 “Get started” button takes the user to the program’s admission requirements page.
Physical education undergraduate admission requirements page with apply now call-to-action box highlighted
The “Apply now” button takes the user to a
Missouri State University application form.

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.

Emphasis areas for the recreation, sport and park administration program website
The recreation, sport and park administration program offers four emphasis areas students can pursue.
Track option areas on exercise and movement science program homepage.
Exercise and movement science majors can pursue one of two track options depending on their career goals.

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

Filed Under: Academic websites, News, Redesign, web strategy and development Tagged With: academic websites, kinesiology, Redesign, web strategy and development

Redesigned Doctor of Pharmacy website: Connecting one program at two schools

November 30, 2018 by Kai Raymer

Top part of Doctor of Pharmacy homepage.

The redesigned doctor of pharmacy 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 targeted for improvement on pharmacy were:

Content

Top part of Doctor of Pharmacy's Admission and Application Requirements page.
The admission and application requirements page details how students qualify for, and apply to, the program.

The previous pharmacy website only had a handful of pages. We built the new site from the ground up, which meant creating and formatting content for pages like:

  • Admission and application requirements
  • Program requirements
  • Careers and outcomes
  • Scholarships and financial aid

Most users access a website to solve a problem.

Creating these pages helped answer crucial questions such as how to apply and how to finish the program, and how to get financial help.

Through reverse transfer, you can even complete your Missouri State bachelor’s degree while you’re in the program.

We kept duplicate content to a minimum. Most links refer back to the UMKC website, which lessens the chances for content becoming outdated.

Clarity

Details about collaborative program on Doctor of Pharmacy homepage.
The intro message on the Doctor of Pharmacy website notes that it’s a collaborative program.

Pharmacy is a collaborative program between the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and Missouri State.

You’re part Kangaroo, part Bear.

You take UMKC pharmacy courses at the Missouri State site in Springfield. UMKC provides the scholarships and financial aid.

You have access to Missouri State student resources and services, but you end up with a UMKC Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

We wanted to make this unique partnership clear throughout the site.

Multimedia

The Careers and Outcomes page includes a video detailing what you can do with a pharmacy degree.

We shined a new light on the program with photo sessions, video packages and Spotlight stories.

  • Mica Henry Spotlight
  • Jackie Bradley Spotlight
Photos of students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
New photography highlights degree options and where graduates of the program can work.

Site credits

  • Project lead and content: Kai Raymer, content strategist in web strategy and development
  • Photography: Kevin White and Jesse Scheve, visual media
  • Videography: Carter Williams, student videographer in web strategy and development
  • Design: Veronica Adinegara, senior graphic designer in editorial and design services
  • Editors: Sara Clark, director in web strategy and development and Andrea Mostyn, 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: Paul Gubbins, Associate Dean Vice Chair and Professor of UMKC School of Pharmacy

Filed Under: Academic websites, News, Redesign, web strategy and development Tagged With: academic websites, pharmacy, Redesign, UMKC, web strategy and development

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