About the Episode
About the Episode:
In this insightful episode, Christina Inge, the Online Infrastructure Manager at the Brandeis University Innovation Center, dives deep into how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles can make university websites not only more engaging and inclusive but also improve their SEO performance. Through her expert lens, Christina discusses the critical role of website design in addressing the enrollment cliff, emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming online environment that reflects the university's brand and makes every visitor feel like they belong.
How Tos on this Episode:
- Learn to apply Universal Design for Learning principles to make your university website a more engaging and inclusive platform that addresses the demographic cliff.
- Discover strategies for creating a user-friendly website that attracts and retains students through improved engagement and accessibility.
- Understand the steps to make your website more accessible, thereby improving its SEO performance and visibility among prospective students.
Why Websites Are Central to Combating the Enrollment Cliff
As Christina Inge explains, a university website is often a prospective student's first interaction with an institution. In an era of increasing competition, it’s critical to make this experience meaningful and welcoming. Websites should go beyond being informational repositories and focus on creating an emotional connection. By integrating multimedia content and a cohesive brand voice, universities can better showcase what sets them apart.
Universal Design for Learning: A Framework for Inclusion
UDL offers a roadmap for making digital spaces more accessible and engaging. Christina highlights the three key pillars of UDL:
- Multiple Means of Engagement: Crafting emotionally resonant content with thoughtful use of visuals, colors, and language.
- Multiple Means of Representation: Providing factual information (like tuition or program details) in various formats—text, video, and graphics—to suit diverse learning styles.
- Multiple Means of Action: Offering clear and varied ways for users to interact, such as filling out forms, contacting staff, or chatting with alumni.
Marketers can start implementing these principles by focusing on high-impact areas, like admissions and program pages, to create an engaging experience tailored to diverse users.
Accessibility: The Foundation of a Successful Web Presence
Accessibility and UDL are intrinsically linked. Christina emphasizes that accessibility should not be treated as an afterthought but rather as a foundational principle. For example, detailed alt text for images not only aids visually impaired users but also boosts SEO performance. An accessible site is more user-friendly, ranks higher in search engines, and broadens reach to underserved audiences.
Taking the First Steps
Marketers looking to overhaul their websites with UDL in mind should begin with a site audit. Identify areas where engagement, representation, and accessibility fall short. Use the findings to inform design updates, ensuring that content is presented in a mobile-friendly, multimedia-rich format. Allocate resources thoughtfully, focusing on the content types that resonate most with prospective students, like authentic videos and photos.
About the Show: The Application is your playbook for the ever-evolving world of higher education enrollment marketing. This podcast zeroes in on the niche, often-unexplored areas of the field, delivering a potent mix of actionable insights, practical strategies, and cutting-edge perspectives.
Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows, too!
Some of our favorites include Mission Admissions and Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Allison will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI.
Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $99! This early bird pricing lasts until March 31.
Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!
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