A new digital presence and physical improvements welcome students, faculty, and prospective students to PennWest University’s campuses. New websites for PennWest University and PennWest Global Online were launched back in late August to showcase the university’s unique strengths while attracting prospective students.

“The primary goal of the new PennWest website was to better reflect the university’s identity and mission while improving accessibility and user experience,” explained Jeff Bender, Executive Director of University Marketing. “We gathered input from over 300 current students to shape the design and navigation of the new site.”

However, the new look has sparked a variety of responses from users. While some appreciate the fresh design and an attractive employee directory, others have raised concerns about the usability and representation of individual campus cultures. 

One student, who wanted to remain anonymous, expressed a common sentiment, stating, “The new website fits with the concept of one college. It doesn’t support the culture of each campus.”

The challenge is to balance the unified identity of PennWest with the unique cultures of its three campuses. Faculty and staff find it difficult to figure out where the boundaries are for classes and events.

Bender acknowledged these concerns, stating, “While PennWest unites three campuses, we are committed to preserving the distinct identities of California, Clarion, and Edinboro. Each campus section is branded with traditional colors and campus-specific photos to reflect its unique culture,” Bender reiterated. “We are always open to suggestions and will consider changes if students feel their campus needs more representation.”

Freshman Rhiannon Gyles shared her initial impressions, also raising some concerns.

“I feel like I’m at a slight disadvantage because I never saw the initial website,” she noted. “But from what I can tell, it feels like it’s missing a lot.”

Gyles was concerned about the lack of a straightforward campus map. “It’s very difficult for me just to find a standard map of campus to figure out where I need to go,” she said.

This sentiment was echoed by other students who found campus navigation tools lacking.

Candice J. Riley, an Associate Professor of Parks and Recreation Management, also noted challenges with accessing basic information on the site, particularly when it comes to resources like financial aid.

“It took a lot of digging to find a general telephone number to the financial aid office on the website using the search function,” Riley explained. “Finding general information like phone numbers for the financial aid office and forms that students need to complete has been difficult. There needs to be direct pages for these resources.” 

Despite these critiques, Bender emphasized that the redesign incorporated feedback from various stakeholders, including over 1,500 participants in focus groups and surveys.

“Our goal is to create a user-friendly experience for prospective students, families, and the community,” Bender said. “We’re committed to continuously improving based on user feedback.”

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to provide ongoing input via the “Website Help” link found at the footer of every page.

Bender stated, “We are planning post-launch usability studies to refine the site further, ensuring it evolves to meet the needs of our community.”

The university community can expect several website updates soon. A career-focused search function for prospective students and tools to personalize content based on interactions for all users will be available.

While the new websites for PennWest University and PennWest Global Online mark a significant step forward in enhancing online accessibility and engagement, ongoing discussions about usability, representation, and resource availability will be essential in refining this digital experience. As the university continues to evolve, it is clear that student feedback will remain a vital part of the process in ensuring the new platforms meet the diverse needs of the PennWest community.

With commitment from both the administration and the student body and the dedicated work of the marketing and communications teams, the PennWest websites can evolve to meet the high expectations of all users. It is a collective effort that will ultimately shape the university’s impact on education in Western Pennsylvania and beyond.