Barkley REI client California University of Pennsylvania launches redesigned website
Release Date: Feb 12, 2010
California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U) recently launched their new website, www.calu.edu. BarkleyREI worked with Cal U’s University Relations Department to re-architect the website’s structure, create a new design, and help implement a new content management system.
The new design reflected a strategic goal to increase awareness of Cal U’s campus improvements and high-quality facilities. To do this, BarkleyREI created a virtual tour on the homepage to allow site visitors to explore the university, its campus and its people. YouTube videos, Flickr photos and Twitter streams load into the homepage to showcase the vibrant campus life. The creative design was implemented site-wide to ensure brand and message consistency.
Behind the scenes, the website was rebuilt from the ground up. The navigation was re-organized, the layouts re-architected, and the copy rewritten, all to make the website highly usable and better communicate key information for prospective students and Cal U constituents. Before launch, BarkleyREI conducted thorough usability testing to ensure the website was easy to navigate, intuitive, and attractive to users.
Realizing that high school guidance counselors are a key part of the undergraduate prospective student recruitment funnel, Cal U’s Admissions Office wanted a portal to serve their needs. BarkleyREI custom developed a secure system that enables guidance counselors to track their student’s application status on the web, from the receipt of SAT/ACT scores and transcripts through the final admissions decision.
“Cal U is a fantastic client and partner. They deserved a great website, and they got one. We couldn’t be happier with our relationship,” said BarkleyREI Account Supervisor Chris Cox.
“Our partnership with BarkleyREI couldn’t have been more positive,” said University Relations Vice President Angela Burrows. “They really listened to what we were saying throughout this project and they put forth a tremendous effort to get to know the Cal U culture. An understanding of what makes the University unique was critical to the success of this project. We are very pleased with the finished product. The website is getting rave reviews. It’s both appealing and functional, exactly the balance we were hoping to achieve. The site was created to serve the entire Cal U community, which includes many constituency groups. We are confident it fulfills that promise.”
About BarkleyREI
BarkleyREI is a division of Barkley, the largest employee-owned agency of its kind. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, BarkleyREI offers a full range of services, including strategic communications planning, website design and development, social media marketing, online and search marketing, user experience testing, content management solutions, and web application development. BarkleyREI works with higher education, cultural and non-profit, consumer and lifestyle, and travel and tourism clients. For more information, please visit www.barkleyrei.com and www.barkleyus.com.
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