CIU Today Fall 2015

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THE INSIDE WORD
Check Out the New
Have you been to the new CIU website? Over the summer, CIU
launched a major renovation of the website, with an attractive
design, easy navigation and a home page video that makes you
feel like you’re right on campus. There is also easier access to
CIU social media sites and compatibility with mobile and tablet
devices.
A key person in making the new website a reality is Chaunté
McClure, the Web communications strategist in CIU’s Marketing
and Communications Office. McClure came to CIU after eight
years as the website project coordinator with the South Carolina
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism where she had
assisted in launching a new website.
McClure says the planning process for the new CIU website began about a year
before she was hired at CIU in late 2014, but within a month after her start date,
she was busy approving site architecture and approving design concepts.
“The process continued until we officially launched in June,” McClure said. “Of
course we are still tweaking various elements to get the site just right. Having
been involved in a Web design process before, making post-launch updates is
common.”
There is an old saying about only having one chance to make a good first
impression. McClure says that is especially true when it comes to a website and
higher education.
“The website is really the front door to CIU,” McClure explains. “Before a
prospective student or parent put their feet on our campus, they likely get a
first look at who we are on our website.”
Another words, that website has to look good.
“I think a site that is visually appealing draws visitors in, and functionality, as well
as the look, will determine how long they’ll stay,” McClure said.
So, how does McClure feel now that the website is up and running? Well, a little
having given birth.
“We had a staff member on the Marketing team who was pregnant during the
project and we were anticipating the baby’s birth,” McClure said. “I started
referring to the website as my baby and was looking forward to birthing it.
“The closer it got to my due date – my launch date – it seemed the more
challenging things became. I was ready to push, but the site was not ready to
be exposed to the world because there was still some developing to be done.
When the site was finally born, it was rewarding to see a project that God
entrusted me with, and that I worked so hard on, come to fruition.”
See Chaunté McClure’s “baby” at
The website is
really the front
door to CIU.
Chaunté McClure, Web communications strategist
in CIU’s Marketing and Communications Office.
Check Out the New
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THE INSIDE WORD
CIU Today Fall 2015