Unexpected offline surprises
While the relaunch of the website brought new audiences to the website, the new website
also yielded changes on the campus.
“The process that we went through on the website relaunch was very healthy for all
of us,” says Dean of the School of Filmmaking Susan Ruskin. “The deans started to
think about who we are as a whole rather than who we are as individual schools. Storytelling
at UNCSA is in essence who we are and what we do. I think the design process for me
was one of the most useful ways of thinking about the overall brand of the school.”
The deans started to think about who we are as a whole rather than who we are as individual
schools.
Susan Ruskin, Dean of the School of Filmmaking
The Digital Media team was established during this time to support the school’s digital strategy. Post-launch,
the team expanded to include a Social and Digital Content Producer, a Customer Relationship
Management Manager and a Kenan Fifth-Year Film Fellow. Digital Media was moved later
in the year under the newly created Technology Division, led by Chief Technology Officer
Claire Machamer.
The website relaunch sparked a digital revolution for our campus. Over the past year,
the passionate voices of our students, faculty and staff have emerged through the
stories featured on uncsa.edu and our social media channels.
Claire Machamer, Chief Technology Officer
Stories you loved to read and watch
In addition to news content, the new website has provided a place for feature stories
and videos. Readers seem to enjoy a good tease, as the April Fools’ Day story was
the highest-viewed web story of 2016. From features, press releases, videos and live
streams, here are the top twelve stories of the year:
- Farewell Fighting Pickles: Introducing UNCSA’s new mascot
- UNCSA mourns the loss of Clyde Fowler
- A 21st century conservatory experience
- UNCSA is among country’s best colleges, according to Money magazine
- UNCSA College Commencement Live Stream
- Winston-Salem Light Project’s “Aluvio” to illuminate urban landscape
- ‘When The Beat Drops’ Dance Film Premiere
- Tour Life: Filmmaking student spends summer on the road with Drum Corps International
- Brian Cole is named Dean of the School of Music
- UNCSA 2015-2016 Highlights
- Explore UNCSA’s Map of the Stars
- Hair with a heart: Students build wigs for clients with cancer, brain tumors
Website adds interactive web features post-launch
Shortly after launch, an interactive 3-D campus map was added to the site. Campus explorers can click on a building to get walking directions
and learn more about the space. The Map of Stars layer is a bonus feature that allows you to click on a star and see where our alumni spent
their time on campus. Actress Elizabeth Lail spent hours of stage combat training in the Drama Gym, which prepared her for her
breakout role as Anna in ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” television series.
In the past, applicants shared that their first experience with the campus was at
their audition. Now students can take a virtual tour of the UNCSA campus. Led by student tour guides, viewers can see images of the campus,
watch movies or explore other sections of the website.
My SA created just for students, faculty and staff
My SA (My School of the Arts) launched as our campus intranet to share information for incoming and current students,
faculty and staff. Campus announcements are posted online and delivered via email through the weekly My SA Minute and daily My SA Morning Update.
What’s next?
Look for more stories, videos, photos, playlists and other ways to tell the UNCSA
story. In addition to keeping the website accurate and up-to-date, it continues to
be optimized for search. Usability testing and feedback continue to be evaluated and
changes made. Driving more processes—such as completing online forms and leveraging
online collaboration and communication—are in the works. Some things, though, won’t
change:
I think showing the process and the experience that you’re going to have behind-the-scenes
as a student at UNCSA is what comes across as you are navigating and going through
the various pages of the website, and I think that’s what is really important
Lindsay Bierman, UNCSA Chancellor
“I think showing the process and the experience that you’re going to have behind-the-scenes
as a student at UNCSA is what comes across as you are navigating and going through
the various pages of the website, and I think that’s what is really important,” Chancellor
Lindsay Bierman says.
December 15, 2016