After much planning and production, Goucher College has launched its new website. A first look can be found here.
The site, produced by the Office of Communications in consultation with key college constituencies, is the flagship communications vehicle for the college. Goucher Webmaster John Perrelli said employees have been working on this project for more than a year. “It’s a huge undertaking, and we’ve done most of it in house,” he said.
Last year the Office of Communications staff began evaluating other college and university websites, assessing analytics of Goucher’s previous web home, and evaluating survey feedback from the Goucher community. The resulting site combines the research with the needs of the college community.
“Our goal was to create a vibrant, content-rich portal that not only serves as a useful tool for students, parents, alumnae/i, faculty, and staff, but also showcases Goucher’s unique attributes, such as our strong academic programs, study abroad requirement, bucolic campus, and close proximity to two world-class cities,” said Allie Laban-Baker, vice president for communications at Goucher. “With its beautiful design, new features, and use of the latest technology, the new site allows visitors to get a clear sense of what makes Goucher College so special.”
One new element of the site, a virtual tour, guides users through the campus, to spots in Baltimore and DC, then beyond to pinpoint Goucher’s extensive study abroad options. The virtual tour is one of the coolest parts of the site, according to Perrelli, but he said many components are also functional, streamlined, and clear.
“The social media page is just one place where everything is comprehensive while being neat and tidy, so it’s not overwhelming,” he said. Perrelli also highlighted the new “In the Loop” page, which clearly and swiftly communicates information on events and updates from the college. “The revised news section will present information more like a newspaper with different categories or sections. It will also contain full stories that are referenced in the bi-weekly, In the Loop e-newsletter that is sent to the Goucher community,” Perrelli said.
A new alumnae/i hub on the site presents more useful, up-to-date, and engaging information and photos to communicate with Goucher’s 18,000-member alumnae/i base.
“The new website makes content management user-friendly…We have to make updates often and quickly,” said Associate Director for Alumnae/i Communication and Programming Amy Eddy. “Our alumnae/i expect these interactive online features, so we’re so happy to give them what they need.”
Admissions Counselor Christopher Wild said the admissions part of the new site allows prospective students to find answers quickly. “The new website will allow us to communicate more effectively with prospective students and parents, bringing the information they most often look for to the front,” he said.
Many other improvements and enhanced capabilities are available throughout the new website, which will continue to evolve and grow with the college. Future tweaks to the site will include making it even more mobile friendly and allowing different groups and departments to best use their portions of the site.
If users have any questions about how to navigate the site or want to offer feedback, fill out the form found here, contact the webmaster at webmaster@goucher.edu. A full news release about the site can be found here.