Enhancing Access & AWARENESS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

I spearheaded the comprehensive redesign of NYU Student Affairs landing pages for 13 units, managing and executing every aspect of the project. My responsibilities included:

  • Conducting in-depth research on unit-specific resources

  • Crafting engaging copy tailored to students, parents, and faculty

  • Curating dynamic images that complemented the content

  • Creating interactive mockups for presentations to internal stakeholders and implementation on the live website

  • Collaborating with unit leaders to ensure each page authentically reflected their unit's mission and resources

 

Challenges and Resolutions

Navigating the college experience is inherently challenging, and NYU’s vast size adds to this complexity. Ensuring that students can easily find what they need is crucial. During my audit, I identified three major UX issues and developed targeted solutions.

Problem 1: Complex Click-Through Experience
NYU Student Affairs offers numerous resources and programs for student success, but its distribution across multiple pages created a fragmented information architecture and a cumbersome click-through experience. This inefficiency hindered discoverability and increased cognitive load.

Solution 1: Streamlined Landing Pages
Leveraging my research on Student Affairs’ services, I optimized landing pages to spotlight key resources and initiatives that support student success. I added clear call-to-action buttons and direct links to improve navigation. Additionally, I wrote concise text to effectively introduce less familiar programs.

Problem 2: Inconsistent Layout Designs
The inconsistent placement of navigation elements and content led to a fragmented user experience across Student Affairs' webpages. This lack of uniformity resulted in ineffective task flows, causing users to spend excessive time searching for resources and struggling to complete their objectives.

Solution 2: Unified Layout Design and Streamlined Navigation
I developed a cohesive layout template for Student Affairs' webpages with strategically placed copy, buttons, and visuals, creating intuitive navigation patterns. This approach made it easier for users to locate and access resources, significantly enhancing their experience.

Problem 3: Absence of Visual and Textual Hierarchy
The lack of visual and textual hierarchy created difficulties in content processing. Without a clear structure and organization, there was an increased risk of content being inaccessible to users with screen readers.

Solution 3: Polished Content Hierarchy and Navigation
I established a consistent font hierarchy and used imagery to create page breaks and highlight content sections. These enhancements were aimed at improving readability, accessibility, and navigation for users of all abilities.

 

Athletics, Intramurals, & Recreation

Goal
Raise awareness of the Athletics, Intramurals, and Recreation Division's role in fostering a balanced lifestyle by highlighting its vibrant athletic community and wellness initiatives.

This goal aims to inspire students to incorporate physical activity and wellness practices into their daily routines, enhancing both academic performance and personal well-being.

UX Decisions

  • Expanded the content scope to include Intramurals, Recreation, and Club Sports, offering diverse opportunities that cater to students' varying interests and schedules, all in support of their overall well-being.

  • Prioritized student well-being by prominently featuring related NYU programs and initiatives, such as Be Well, Fitness & Wellbeing, and You Belong, ensuring easy access to these vital resources.

  • Emphasized the availability of unique academic resources, including the Office of Student-Athlete Excellence and Safety Training & Certifications, to ensure these offerings are clearly visible to students seeking to enhance their academic and personal development.

 

Center for Student Life

Goal
Inspire students to engage with NYU clubs and organizations, where they can connect with peers who share similar passions and interests.

This goal aims to create a strong sense of community and belonging, enriching students' college experiences.

UX Decisions

  • Prioritized showcasing a diverse range of clubs and organizations, encouraging student involvement in the NYU community.

  • Introduced a “Community Spotlight” section to highlight spaces that offer students opportunities to explore identity-related topics.

  • Added a calendar feature to keep students updated on upcoming in-person and virtual events.

 

The Changemaker Center

Goal
Empower students to create positive change in their communities through The Changemaker Center, which offers tools, workshops, and leadership opportunities.

This goal underscores NYU’s commitment to supporting students' visions for a better future.

UX Decisions

  • Used basic promos to introduce and explain the Center’s programs to students unfamiliar with its offerings.

  • Developed a "Global Impact" section to encourage students to think beyond local efforts and consider international contributions.

 

Office of the Dean of Students

Goal
Clarify the role of the Dean of Students in collaborating with various divisions to support students' well-being and success at NYU.

This goal aims to ensure students are aware of NYU’s resources, including Laptop Loans, Courtesy Meals Program, and Report an Incident, especially when facing personal challenges.

UX Decisions

  • Highlighted Basic Needs programs at NYU and NYC to make these resources more accessible to students during difficult times.

  • Added brief descriptions of safety and support programs in promo sections, helping users quickly identify the right resources before exploring further.

 

Global Spiritual Life

Goal
Demonstrate NYU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by encouraging students from all spiritual backgrounds to freely practice their faith and explore others.

This goal aims to help students find community through both academic and spiritual journeys, fostering a culture of mutual respect for diverse beliefs.

UX Decisions

  • Enhanced the "Multifaith" section with Queering Faith, exploring the intersections of faith, spirituality, gender, and sexuality, inviting open and inclusive engagement.

  • Added a Religious Accommodations section to inform students about NYU's support for religious observances, even when they conflict with exams.

  • Highlighted the “Schedule an Appointment” option with a prominent purple button for students needing to speak with a Spiritual Life Advisor.

  • Featured Religious Centers at the bottom of the page, providing designated spaces for students to practice their faith.

 

The Moses Center for Student Accessibility

Goal
Provide clear and straightforward information about available services, support options, and how to access them for students of all abilities.

This goal is designed to encourage students to effectively utilize available resources and services, thereby enhancing their academic performance and overall well-being.

UX Decisions

  • Integrated buttons linking:

    • online portals tailored for students, faculty, and staff.

    • academic accommodations, disability-related accessible housing, and notetaker services.

    • portal tutorials and required forms to facilitate access to and requests for support.

 

Research & Assessment

Goal
Encourage university leaders and students to explore how data drives NYU's decisions to enhance the student experience.

This page highlights the University’s ongoing commitment to improving student satisfaction and success at NYU.

UX Decisions

  • Featured Student Affairs’ Strategic Priorities, emphasizing NYU’s focus on student-centered resources and a supportive university community.

  • Provided easy access to the Research & Assessment team’s Best Practices Reports, Program Reviews, and Student Surveys, offering valuable insights into the NYU experience.

 

Residential Life & Housing Services

Goal
Spark excitement for students exploring housing options through NYU, showcasing the endless possibilities awaiting them in the vibrant city of NYC.

This goal is designed to help students settle into NYC, maximizing their NYU experience whether they’re here for the summer or all four years.

UX Decisions

  • Featured NYU’s housing options, including On-Campus Housing, Summer Housing, and January Term Housing.

  • Presented resources like Academic and Cultural Adjustment, Disability-Related Accessible Housing, Food Accessibility Assistance, and Gender Inclusive Housing to support students and enhance their comfort at NYU and in NYC.

  • Included direct links to Residence Halls, Residence Hall Policies, and Roommate Relations to help students set accurate expectations for their living experience at NYU.

 

Student Conduct & Community Standards

Goal
Encourage students to act thoughtfully at NYU, fostering a community where every member is valued and mutual respect is prioritized.

This goal is to inform and support students affected by misconduct or who have witnessed inappropriate behavior, guiding them to practice social responsibility by reporting such incidents.

UX Decisions

  • Provided easy access to NYU's Guidance and Expectations on Student Conduct, Student Conduct Policies, and Student Conduct Procedures to help students understand the rules and their rights.

  • Highlighted reporting services, including Public Incident Report, Title IX Office, Office of Equal Opportunity, and Department of Campus Safety Comment Form for clear guidance on reporting incidents.

  • Emphasized resources like Education & Awareness and the Student Conflict Resolution Center to show NYU’s commitment to conflict resolution and student support.

 

Student Health Center

Goal
Develop a virtual resource center that provides comprehensive solutions for students with diverse healthcare needs, ensuring discretion and accessibility while avoiding any sense of discrimination or discomfort.

This goal aims to encourage students to practice self-care, whether addressing a sexually transmitted infection, managing a chronic illness, or undergoing a gender affirmation process.

UX Decisions

  • Consolidated resources on a single page, organized into five sections: Medical Services, Counseling & Wellness Services, Healthy Living, Pharmacy, and Accessibility Accommodations, for easy navigation and access.

  • Highlighted specialized resources like Gender Affirming Care and the Moses Center for Student Accessibility to raise awareness and showcase NYU’s robust support systems.

  • Included a prominently displayed link to NYU’s COVID-19 guide in the right sidebar, with additional links to current public health issues, such as seasonal flu, to keep students informed and promote preventive measures.

 

Wasserman Center for Career Development

Goal
Organize Wasserman Center's resources and programs to outline the career journey from NYU and beyond, emphasizing the continuous support provided by the University.

This goal aims to motivate students to take proactive steps toward their ideal careers throughout their academic journey.

UX Decisions

  • Added audience-specific buttons for undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, employers, and campus partners to address specific needs and offer tailored support.

  • Highlighted common job market pitfalls to help students recognize and avoid deceptive job postings and other obstacles.

 

Wellness Exchange

Goal
Highlight the importance of mental health by encouraging students to incorporate self-care into their daily routines and seek support without fear of stigma.

This goal aims to create a safe space where students can confidently access mental health resources, building resilience for their academic journey and beyond.

UX Decisions

  • Presented a range of counseling options, including Single Session Counseling, Group Counseling, Short-Term Counseling, and Urgent Counseling, allowing students to choose the option that best suits their needs and comfort level.

  • Highlighted student-led organizations and programs like Active Minds and Texts to Inspire for students interested in exploring self-care through peer support or alternative methods.

 

Student Affairs

Goal
Consolidate the functions of the 12 sub-units within Student Affairs onto a single page, demonstrating their critical roles in advancing the Division’s six strategic priorities: Community & Connections, Evidence-Informed Decision Making, Global IDBEA, Navigation & Access, and Student & Professional Development.

This goal aims to highlight Student Affairs’ strategic efforts in serving NYU and its students through comprehensive programs and resources.

UX Decisions

  • Listed the 12 sub-units and identified the Senior Vice President to clarify that this page represents the Central Office of Student Affairs overseeing all units.

  • Featured four key resources for each strategic priority to illustrate how each unit supports Student Affairs’ goals and mission.