NWU Launches Revamped Website, but Work Isn’t Quite Finished

The online face of Nebraska Wesleyan University received a long-awaited reboot last week. A project that students were first introduced to in April 2009, the new Web site may be up for use, but according to Web Advisory Committee member Hannah Selendic, it is not finalized.

Selendic noted, “The new site is up, but it is certainly not done.” She continued by adding that “Actually, a good website is never really ‘done’ because information is always changing to keep it fresh.”

As the Web Content Manager at NWU, Selendic has been in thick of things throughout the course of the redevelopment. Students were kept apprised of the progress through a blog she kept at http://blog.nebrwesleyan.edu/. Over the spring months, students got the first look at the concept boards and layouts for the Web site, as well as had the opportunity to chime in and share their thoughts and ideas for the project.

A project like the NWU Web site comes with a number of challenges, according to Selendic. “The university Web site is an important tool for all university audiences, from current students to alumni and donors, to prospective students and their families. It has a wealth of information for all of our audiences.” Balancing the needs of each audience in one place, she said, is an ongoing challenge.

Pleasing the University’s internal audiences (students, faculty and staff) has been another difficulty, but one expected by Selendic. “Frustration is inevitable, so we try to consider needs versus wants and make decisions about the Web site based on the balance between the two. As with any change, it will take some getting used to. In a way, it is more difficult for current students and faculty and staff to find their way around the site now because they are used to it being a certain way and now that has completely changed. But it’s all for the greater good!”

The Marketing and Communications department is interested in hearing the opinions and comments of current students. They are invited to email Selendic at hselendi and also to attend web sessions which will be held for students, faculty and staff to learn more about the Web site. Student organizations are especially invited to attend to learn how they can get their own pages on the Web site.