George Washington Begins Launch of Unified Web Site
Face of GW reaches out to constituencies
The George Washington University unveiled the first phase of a new Web site Aug. 10 with a goal of giving GW constituents a consistent and easy-to-navigate online experience. The audience-driven site is the foundation of an extensive University-wide effort to enhance and unify GW’s Web presence across the University’s many departments, schools and programs.
“In the past George Washington’s Web presence was made up of numerous designs, structures and voices,” says Lorraine Voles, vice president for external affairs, who spearheads the unified Web presence project. “The new site gives our constituents a more worthwhile experience across the main GW Web site by providing rich content, improved navigation, and an overall framework that provides a consistent look and feel across the site.”
The updated site features six main content areas that allows viewers to explore the exciting and multifaceted world of GW: Explore, Apply, Learn, Discover, Connect, and Give. Throughout the site, compelling content in the form of stories, photography, and core business information delivers value to visitors.
The University is committed to evolving its online presence. “The Web presence is a direct reflection of the physical institution,” Voles says, “and we realize that everyone— from our prospective students, current students, and parents, to our researchers, alumni, and friends—uses the Web to engage with us. We are committed to building a worldwide and lifelong community for GW community members, and this is a key venue for us to achieve that goal.”
Voles is leading GW’s unified Web site redesign presence team, composed of staff members from across the University who have met weekly for the past year to devise and implement the new Web strategy. The technical platform has been upgraded and uses Vignette, an integrated Web content management system that allows content contributors to create, edit, manage, and publish consistent Web content throughout the University.
The August launch officially inaugurates the University’s revamped homepage and top-level content areas and is stage one of a multiyear endeavor aimed at building a unified Web presence across GW. “In the coming months, we will focus on deepening the site to include schools, departments, and programs,” Voles says. “This is an exciting first step in a forward -looking project that can enhance all of the compelling initiatives occurring at George Washington. We want the world to know the great work that is happening here every day.”
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