Website Training Sessions

Website contributors from every department of the College have been invited to participate in training sessions in Sitecore, the easy-to-use content management system behind the new Cabrini website.

Training sessions will be offered at:
- Monday, February 8: 9–11:30 a.m.
- Monday, February 8: 1–3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 9: 1–3:30 p.m.

Space is limited, and placement will be on a first come, first served basis.

One-on-one trainings or small group trainings will be offered at a later date for those unable to attend these training sessions, and on-going support will be provided for all website contributors.

Website Redesign Update

Cabrini’s website redesign project is in full swing, with a proposed launch date in February. Our new content management system is taking shape, with some exciting new features and a fresh design.

We’ll provide opportunities for website contributors from all departments to learn the new system and manage their section of the website, as well as a “Writing for the Web” workshop.

All departments have reviewed their online content and provided edits and updates, working with members of the Website Redesign Project Committee. Over the next month, we’ll migrate edited content into the new website and set up the back-end support system. We’re also creating new content to highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of Cabrini’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Anyone with any questions or comments about the website redesign can contact Webmaster Matt Holmes at 610-902-8228 or mholmes@cabrini.edu.

Cabrini Selects New Website System and Design

After extensive research with current students, prospective students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff, Cabrini has selected a new website design and content management system.


How it works - Website Management System
Contributors from different campus departments participated in content management system demonstrations. We gathered input, compared functionality, and selected Sitecore, a leading web content management system that will allow members of the Cabrini community to easily and effectively share what makes Cabrini extraordinary. Sitecore has features for easy editing, calendars of events, online commerce, interactive forms, video, searches, visitor tracking, RSS feeds, automatic updates, and much more.

To learn more about Sitecore: www.sitecore.com

Website contributors will be trained on this new system to maintain their sections of the website, and a "Writing for the Web" workshop will be offered.


What it looks like - Website Design
In June, we surveyed more than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and prospective students with three design options for the Cabrini website.

A frontrunner emerged that respondents said was "modern, but classic," "well-organized," and "not like other college websites." More than 200 prospective students who participated in a July follow-up survey ranked this design best, and a majority said that this design made them want to learn more about Cabrini and apply to Cabrini.

Below are preliminary designs examples with wording and photography for placement only.
These are not final designs and the final photography and wording have not been selected.

Click here to see a sample of the homepage design.
The prominent feature area highlights "A Level of Commitment" about Cabrini's outstanding faculty, "A Measure of Ambition" about what makes Cabrini students and the Cabrini education so special, and "A World of Good" about the impact of Cabrini alumni, faculty, and students off-campus and in the real world.

Click here to see some sample page designs.
These and other templates will be used in different areas throughout the site, with different content.

Again, the photos and wording are not finalized, and we're still making adjustments to the layout.


When does it go up? - Timeline for Launch
We're currently building the website, which includes template designs, site structure/navigation, and the back-end system to power everything. When the spring semester starts, we'll have a new look for cabrini.edu, which also will feature a system for online registrations and payments and an exciting new alumni community. Once we launch the new site, we'll be able to add more content and videos, share more stories, and show more of what makes Cabrini extraordinary.

Please share your comments on this blog or contact Matt Holmes, Cabrini College Webmaster, at 610-902-8228 or info@cabrini.edu

Critique Cabrini's website for chance to win Amazon gift certificate

Cabrini College is redesigning its website and would like your feedback.

Click here to take a look at our website designs and complete our survey.

The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. We will show you three designs and ask for your feedback on each one. There are no right or wrong answers, and your comments will be kept confidential.

Everyone who completes the survey by June 26, 2009 will be entered into a drawing to win a $150 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Thank you for your time and feedback, and good luck in the drawing!
Matt Holmes
Cabrini Webmaster and Class of 2002

Designs and Strategy

After meeting with the Cabrini community, mStoner have compiled their findings and recommendations into a strategy document that they will share with President George, the Cabinet, and the Website Redesign Project Committee on Tuesday, May 26.

This strategy document includes:

• goals and objectives
• key themes and messages
• examples of a wireframe for the site design
• samples of information architecture for the site structure
• recommendations for systems, guidelines, and user training
• a timeline through site launch
  

Designers at mStoner have created three design concepts to share with campus representatives and test with prospective students. Once we've settled on a design and system, mStoner will set up the technology and we'll fill in the content to create Cabrini's new website.

Project Timeline

Last week, representatives from mStoner visited Cabrini to begin the first step in the website redesign project.
Thanks to everyone for their time and effort, and for sharing their ideas and experiences.

I know everyone is eager to have the new Cabrini website up and running, but there is a lot that goes into developing a new site.

The timeline for our project will be laid out over seven steps:

1. Strategic Discovery and Plan Development
Lay out project goals
Gather input from faculty, staff and students
Develop a strategy

2. Design and Testing
Create wireframe models of what materials will exist on the site
Design three different concepts to represent Cabrini
Review and test concepts with high school students

3. Content Development
Write copy
Decide on new online resources
Select photography
Develop additional content for the site

4. Technical Specifications
Determine how the back-end technology will work
Discuss specifications for video, forms, javascripts, etc.

5. Build-Out
Create framework for the new website with HTML and a Content Management System (CMS)

6. Migration
Build webpages
Move content to new CMS
Test! Test! Test!

7. Launch, Training, and Territory Ahead
New site goes live!
Develop future plan to manage site
Train contributors in CMS
Conduct “Writing for the Web” workshop for contributors
Plan systems and procedures to manage website

If you have any questions about the website redesign project or want to share anything about Cabrini's website, please contact me at info@cabrini.edu or 610-902-8228.

Website Redesign Meetings Planned

Cabrini College has secured the services of mStoner to redesign the College website. Representatives from mStoner will be on campus Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 to meet with faculty, students, staff, and alumni.


MStoner has a series of questions to help us through the redesign process. Your feedback will inform the design of the new site, which will support the following institutional goals:

• Recruit and retain undergraduate and graduate students


• Reconnect with alumni


• Serve as a gateway to password-protected systems such as CabriniOne and BbVista

If you would like to participate in a website meeting, and have not yet been contacted by Webmaster Matt Holmes, please email info@cabrini.edu or call 610-902-8228.

Cabrini staff will meet at different times throughout the two days.
Faculty will meet on Tuesday, March 3 at 3 p.m.
Students will meet on Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m.
Alumni will meet on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Space is limited. If we are unable to accommodate you in a session or if you are unable to attend, we encourage you to review the mStoner questions and to email your comments/suggestions to info@cabrini.edu.

Throughout the project, regular updates will be communicated to the Cabrini community via this blog, CabriniWebsiteRedesign.blogspot.com, and we encourage you to regularly check the blog and post comments.

A project committee also has been created to help oversee the project:

• Amy Coleman, Director of Media & Marketing – committee co-chair
• Matt Holmes, Webmaster – committee co-chair
• Pete Schauster, Assistant Director of Admissions
• Lisa Plummer, Director of Institutional Effectiveness
• Michelle Murta, Coordinator of Enrollment Operations and Off-Site Programs
• Christa Angeloni, Campus Minister
• Amber LaJeunesse, Assistant Director of the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership
• Erica Spizzirri, Director of Donor Relations & Campaign Management
• Adam Kassab, Accounting Coordinator
• Don Dempsey, Graphic Design and Fine Arts Department Chair

If you have any questions about the redesign of Cabrini College's website, please contact Webmaster Matt Holmes at info@cabrini.edu or 610-902-8228.