At App State, we are committed to improving the quality of our digital content and working toward delivering a seamless and enhanced digital experience for our audiences and community.
Our university websites are among our most essential marketing and communication tools, and we are taking steps to prepare a new digital content strategy and web presence that elevate our distinctive Mountaineer qualities and reflect best practices in content strategy, usability, accessibility, design and overall user experience. As part of our continuous improvement efforts, we are partnering with Lullabot to undertake a comprehensive website infrastructure project.
This project encompasses three key components: an infrastructure review and upgrade, website migration and improvements, and the implementation of a new content strategy and web governance model.
College-, department- and office-level site admins may continue to make regular updates to web content for the time being, unless otherwise notified. The UComm web team will continue to evaluate incoming support requests and provide assistance and recommendations as needed.
Infrastructure Review and Upgrade
To ensure our websites remain robust, secure and scalable, the first phase of the project is to conduct an extensive review of our current website infrastructure. This involves:
- Content and Feature Analysis: Assessing the current websites' content structures, content types and features to identify areas for improvement.
- Security Audit: Conducting a thorough security audit to address vulnerabilities and enhance protections against potential threats.
- Accessibility Audit: Conducting a thorough review of accessibility issues and features to identify areas for improvement.
- Sites Inventory: Evaluate the total list of current university websites and identify opportunities to improve brand identity, content governance and the user experience.
- Scalability Assessment: Evaluating our infrastructure's ability to support future growth and audience needs.
Following the review, we will implement upgrades and enhancements to a new version of Drupal, our university's content management system (CMS). These upgrades aim to:
- Enhance website functionality and performance.
- Improve security and accessibility.
- Ensure scalability to accommodate future needs.
Website Migration and Improvement
As part of our modernization efforts, the second phase of the project will be to migrate our websites to an updated version of our CMS platform. Our goal is to provide a more intuitive, efficient and engaging online experience for all users.
More information regarding the migration effort will be provided as we get closer to this phase of the project.
Implementation of a New Content Strategy and Web Governance Model
To ensure the ongoing success and relevance of our websites, we are developing a new content strategy and web governance model. This involves:
Content Strategy
Creating a comprehensive plan for content creation, management and distribution that aligns with our university's goals and user needs. This strategy will focus on:
- Consistent and compelling messaging.
- Regular content updates and reviews to keep information current and relevant.
- Seamless transitions between sites and content in the appstate.edu domain.
- Strategic use of multimedia elements to enhance engagement.
Web Governance Model
Establishing clear guidelines and processes for website management, including:
- Defining roles and responsibilities for content creators, publishers and web administrators.
- Implementing quality control measures to maintain high standards for content and design.
- Providing training and resources to empower stakeholders to effectively contribute to the website.
Stay Informed
The web infrastructure project is a complex and collaborative effort. Here's how you can stay informed and get involved:
- Regular Updates: We will provide regular updates on the project's progress through email announcements, liaison communications and updates to this webpage.
- Feedback Opportunities: Participate in surveys distributed by our partner, Lullabot, and share your thoughts and suggestions with your area communication liaison to bring to the web team.
- Support and Training: Access resources and training to help you navigate and utilize new website features once the new platform is available.
Contact Us
If you have questions or need further information, please reach out to webmaster@appstate.edu.
Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work to enhance our digital presence and better serve our university audiences and community.