Carroll College
Good isn’t good enough. Discover how adding clarity and distinction improved stakeholder and student engagement.
As a private, Roman Catholic-affiliated institution, Carroll College has earned a wide range of regional and national awards for academic program excellence. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Carroll as the #1 Regional College in the West and the #2 Regional Best Value College in the West.
Though Carroll was enjoying healthy enrollment levels when they approached Stamats, leadership felt the college’s messaging was not clear and distinct enough to meet its near-term goals.
Focusing on Carroll’s website as a vital communication hub, the engagement began with an in-depth discovery visit followed by a data review, qualitative interviews with site users, architecture development, brand implementation, and creative strategy and planning.
Equipped with a clear understanding of Carroll’s needs, Stamats’ design team created a responsive layout through wireframing and complementary creative concept development. The layouts maximized each device’s strengths in order to deliver content quickly without sacrificing functionality.
We then integrated newly developed brand assets with the site and reorganized its information architecture to support more intuitive navigation. Our team also consulted with developers and user experience (UX) experts to design a calendar that would accommodate Carroll’s events within the recommended taxonomy.
During all phases of the project, we worked to ensure each design decision fit within the capabilities of Drupal, Carroll’s chosen content management system (CMS) provider.
Finally, to maximize the site’s effectiveness for enrollment and marketing, Stamats conducted communication sequence mapping—a process that assessed Carroll’s communication strategies, aligned those strategies with new website functionalities, and streamlined outreach to prospective students.
The new site (www.carroll.edu) launched to rave reviews from students, alumni, faculty and staff, and community partners. It not only provides Carroll with a stronger visual presence, it helps the college speak with a clearer voice, connect with a new generation of learners, and enhance its sterling reputation for academic excellence.
Stamats’ relationship with Carroll continues as we work to redevelop the college’s athletic brand on the cusp of a major athletic fundraising initiative.
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The Challenge
As a private, Roman Catholic-affiliated institution, Carroll College has earned a wide range of regional and national awards for academic program excellence. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Carroll as the #1 Regional College in the West and the #2 Regional Best Value College in the West.
Though Carroll was enjoying healthy enrollment levels when they approached Stamats, leadership felt the college’s messaging was not clear and distinct enough to meet its near-term goals.
-
The Project
Focusing on Carroll’s website as a vital communication hub, the engagement began with an in-depth discovery visit followed by a data review, qualitative interviews with site users, architecture development, brand implementation, and creative strategy and planning.
Equipped with a clear understanding of Carroll’s needs, Stamats’ design team created a responsive layout through wireframing and complementary creative concept development. The layouts maximized each device’s strengths in order to deliver content quickly without sacrificing functionality.
We then integrated newly developed brand assets with the site and reorganized its information architecture to support more intuitive navigation. Our team also consulted with developers and user experience (UX) experts to design a calendar that would accommodate Carroll’s events within the recommended taxonomy.
During all phases of the project, we worked to ensure each design decision fit within the capabilities of Drupal, Carroll’s chosen content management system (CMS) provider.
Finally, to maximize the site’s effectiveness for enrollment and marketing, Stamats conducted communication sequence mapping—a process that assessed Carroll’s communication strategies, aligned those strategies with new website functionalities, and streamlined outreach to prospective students.
-
The Results
The new site (www.carroll.edu) launched to rave reviews from students, alumni, faculty and staff, and community partners. It not only provides Carroll with a stronger visual presence, it helps the college speak with a clearer voice, connect with a new generation of learners, and enhance its sterling reputation for academic excellence.
Stamats’ relationship with Carroll continues as we work to redevelop the college’s athletic brand on the cusp of a major athletic fundraising initiative.
