Shenandoah University
2025
Design of Shenandoah University’s digital presence, including the Desktop Website, Mobile Website, Application Portal, and Student Portal, to improve usability, accessibility, and engagement for prospective students, current students, faculty, and staff.
Role
Lead Product Designer and Website Strategist
Industry:
Education
Platform:
Website, Web Application
Screen:
160 + for desktop and mobile`160 + for desktop and mobile
Contributions:
As the sole designer contracted to build Shenandoah University's digital ecosystem from the ground up, I created entirely new desktop and mobile websites, application portal, and student portal—developing all visual designs, UI components, and user flows from initial concept to final implementation. Starting with blank canvases, I established the university's first comprehensive design system, defining the typography, color palette, and interactive elements that would unify all platforms.
GOALS
Create a cohesive and modern design system for all platforms (desktop, mobile, application portal, and student portal) that reflect the university’s modern and innovative brand.
Quality usability and accessibility for all users, including prospective students, current students, and faculty.
Enhance engagement through clear CTAs, intuitive navigation, and responsive design.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Prospective Students
Looking for program information, admission requirements, and application processes.
Current Students:
Accessing academic resources, schedules, and student services.
Faculty and Staff:
Managing courses, student data, and administrative tasks.
USER PERSONAE:
Personas for each user group were created for (I) High school student applying for college (prospective students), (II) Current student checking grades, (III) Faculty member uploading course materials
Prospective Students
Current Students
Faculty and Staff
Bio: Dr. Thompson is a 45-year-old professor of Family Nursing at Shenandoah University. He’s been teaching for over 15 years and is passionate about mentoring students. Dr. Thompson often struggles with the university’s outdated systems for uploading course materials and managing grades.
Age: 45 years old
Pain Points: Cumbersome interface for uploading files and entering grades.
Needs: An intuitive faculty portal with easy-to-use tools for course management..
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
Three competitor university websites were analyzed to identify best practices in navigation, accessibility, and visual design.
Medical University of the Americas
Clean and modern design with a focus on visuals (campus life, student activities).
Clear navigation with dropdown menus for programs, admissions, and student resources.
Strong accessibility features, including alt text and keyboard navigation
Overwhelming amount of information on the homepage.
Mobile version had slow load times.
Feinberg School of Medicine
Simple and intuitive application portal with a progress tracker.
Responsive design that worked seamlessly across devices.
Strong use of testimonials and student success stories.
Lack of contrast in some sections, making it difficult for visually impaired users.
Student portal had a cluttered interface.
Augusta University
Bold and engaging visuals that reflected the university’s brand.
Easy-to-use student portal with a dashboard for quick access to grades and schedules.
Strong focus on accessibility, including screen reader compatibility.
Navigation was confusing for first-time users.
Application portal lacked clear instructions
Key takeaway from competitive analysis
Prioritize clear navigation and accessibility across all platforms.
Use engaging visuals to showcase campus life and student experiences.
Ensure responsive design for seamless use on desktop, mobile, and portals
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KEY FEATURES BY PLATFORM
Desktop Website
Homepage: Clear hero section with CTAs like “Apply Now” and “Explore Programs.”
Programs Page: Detailed descriptions of academic programs with filters for easy navigation.
About Us Page: Highlights the university’s mission, history, and achievements.
Accessibility: Keyboard navigation, alt text for images, and high-contrast mode.
Mobile Website:
Responsive design with collapsible menus and touch-friendly CTAs.
Simplified content for faster loading and easier navigation on smaller screens.
Application Portal
Streamlined application process with step-by-step guidance.
Progress tracker and save-for-later functionality
Student Portal:
Dashboard with quick access to grades, schedules, and announcements.
Integrated calendar and task management features.
Design Screens
The navigation system for Shenandoah University’s website emphasizes intuitive usability and accessibility, featuring a clear hierarchy, responsive design, and consistent layouts across desktop, mobile, and portals. Key elements like breadcrumbs, a search bar, and strategic CTAs (e.g., “Apply Now”) guide users seamlessly, while accessibility features like keyboard navigation ensure inclusivity. This approach improved usability, increased application starts by 20%, and received positive feedback for its intuitive design.
Home Page - Desktop and Mobile
Search
About Us
Explore All Programs
Individual Program Page - Overview
Admissions Page
Admissions Portal
Admissions Portal
FAQ
News
Application Form
Profile
Messages
Application Form
Profile
Messages
REFLECTIONS
This project transformed Shenandoah University's digital presence by creating a cohesive yet tailored experience across four platforms. Here are the key insights:
Key Learnings
Diverse needs require tailored solutions: Designing for students, faculty, and applicants meant balancing simplicity with advanced functionality
Modular design systems are crucial: Reusable components maintained brand consistency while allowing platform-specific adaptations
Testing reveals hidden pain points: Faculty struggled with file uploads - a issue uncovered only through user testing
Accessibility drives inclusion: WCAG-compliant features like keyboard navigation became essential, not optional
Impact & Outcomes
✓ 20% increase in application starts through clearer CTAs
✓ Reduced bounce rates with intuitive navigation
✓ Positive feedback on mobile experience and portal usability
✓ Future-ready foundation for adding personalized dashboards
What I'd Do Differently
Incorporate more role-based personalization upfront
Allocate additional time for faculty-specific usability testing
Explore AI chat for faster applicant support
This project proved that great digital experiences begin with empathy - understanding both institutional goals and human needs. The results demonstrate how thoughtful UX can transform complex systems into intuitive journeys.
Final Thought:
"Designing for education isn't just about interfaces - it's about removing barriers to knowledge."
