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Authors:
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Beth Montelone, Kansas State University
Ruth A. Dyer, Kansas State University
Cynthia Burack, Ohio State University
Suzanne Franks, Independent Scholar
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Abstract:
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Websites have tremendous power to create first impressions. Prospective and current students and employees increasingly rely on the Internet for information about academic programs, people, and institutions. Department websites are one source for that information, but they also convey information about departmental culture and environment. Culture- communication certainly derives from content, but just as importantly, it is impacted by design and structure. Engineering and science departments interested in broadening their appeal to underrepresented groups must look to their own websites. What culture is being communicated ? explicitly, implicitly ? and to whom does it appeal? The Kansas State University ADVANCE project team recognizes the power of website messages. Six K- State science and engineering departments have worked for two years on an ADVANCE-sponsored website initiative. These departments agreed to work on improving delivery of welcoming and inclusive messages to students, faculty, and staff via their departmental websites. They participated in a three-step process: workshops; revision of existing websites; evaluation and feedback. This paper shares information about each step of the process, the lessons learned, and best practices that have been identified.
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