Speakers: Bryan Jonker
Web Applications have been around for 20 years, so what is revolutionary about Microsoft Blazor? Can we develop apps while still making usable, accessible applications that meet brand standards? How do we integrate with existing platforms? How do we allow our application to talk with other platforms? IT Partners @ Education has been working on a new Blazor app to manage our directory, and I will answer these questions, along with a deep dive on how we designed, built, and deployed the application.
Speakers: Courtney Fleeger, Liz Shallenberger
Accessible email planning and design improves usability for everyone on your mailing list. Marketers, designers, and IT pros all have an important role in crafting an accessible email. Learn how to navigate this process from start to finish. We’ll share best practices, resources, and tips for working in Webtools Email+ and Outlook .
When: Thursday April 4, 5:00 pm – 7:00pm
Where: Gallery Art Bar, Urbana, IL
Join in for food, drinks, and fun on us at one of the freshest new vibes in C-U! Come celebrate our community.
Speakers: Kristin Tennant, Jamie Hedrick
In this workshop we’ll draw from our own journey developing a strategic, multi-faceted campaign. As we share our process, we’ll touch on a variety of recommendations and tools, including: identifying key takeaways and opportunities in the survey data; socializing that information with stakeholders; bringing together strategic partners for brainstorming and idea generation; the importance of understanding a diverse audience with empathy (including their motivations and goals); using a creative brief format to outline a three-phase campaign structure; generating additional opportunities for stakeholder and strategic partner input; identifying low-hanging fruit – what can be done now to begin moving the needle – and recognizing where further market research needs to be conducted. Our presentation will include specific examples as well as tools we used for brainstorming, collaboration, etc.
Speaker: Amanda Langworthy
Tackling search engine optimization (SEO) can be overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. It feels like a puzzle, and you might be inclined to hire an SEO expert or invest in an expensive tool to help. This presentation is for anyone who writes or publishes content on a website. We will cover content-focused strategies you can employ to ensure your audiences find your web pages in Google. You will learn how to optimize your content for search engines, without relying on technical loopholes or algorithm tricks. As a bonus, these content-focused strategies will also improve the overall user experience of your website.
Speaker: Aurora Cruz-Torres
In today’s diverse educational landscape, providing equitable support for underrepresented college students is crucial. This presentation delves into the potential of ChatGPT and other AI tools to address these students’ unique challenges. We will explore how AI programs can offer underrepresented students academic assistance, personalized guidance, mental health support, and inclusive resources. By leveraging the capabilities of AI-driven language models, we can enhance access to information, create more inclusive learning environments, and foster the academic success and well-being of underrepresented college students. This presentation aims to discover innovative ways AI can positively impact educational equity and inclusion.
Speaker: Erin Easter, Jason Kirchgessner, Aaron Wagner
In 2023, COUNTRY Financial expected to redesign its online quoting applications for auto and home insurance. What it didn’t expect was that it would totally recreate its customer experience, user experience, and design processes along the way. In this presentation, we’ll learn how COUNTRY redefined its User Experience Design Playbook over the course of their quote redesign efforts. We’ll review how COUNTRY User Experience partners with value stream owners, business partners, and developers throughout design. We’ll also learn more about COUNTRY’s repeatable design process that includes six stages: Strategy, Discovery, Definition, Design, Implementation, and Measurement phases. Finally, we’ll talk about lessons learned along the way and how this process is being rolled out to additional efforts in the company.
Speaker: Mari Anne Brocker Curry, Dick Detzner, Chris Axtman-Baker
Mari Anne Brocker Curry, Dick Detzner, and Chris Axtman-Barker detail the planning, feedback, strategy, and structure of the new Housing websites launched in early 2023. Learn from our do’s and do better’s to improve your next web overhaul!
Speaker: Johnathan Heider
Through providing a custom program and overall safe space for your event, I will guide your audience through an overall understanding of digital accessibility and universal design in optimization for end users with various disabilities. This program will include background information, as well as facts and common misconceptions of creating a digital footprint that is accessible for all. This deep dive will focus on the utilization of keywords to create a more inclusive online presence through SEO strategies. This program will also look at category such as imagery color, terminology, text, backend development, and general universal design of a website build. Throughout this program, personal stories and open room discussions will take place. Key Takeaways• Color techniques for text on images and images in general for visually impaired• Strategies on alt text for visually impaired• Utilization of target keyword so Inclusive terminology to know Exclusionary terminology to avoid• How to genuinely reach a previously untapped market of disabled individuals across different background so Many disabled potential employees and clients are being skipped over due to poor digital strategies
Speaker: Huan Song
In this engaging talk, we’ll explore the pivotal role of effective communication in amplifying the impact of organizational milestones. From significant anniversary years to rebranding efforts, website relaunches, and leadership transitions, we’ll delve into strategies to maximize these communications opportunities.Discover how to seamlessly integrate various communication channels including press releases, web content, social media, targeted email campaigns, and memorable events. Learn the art of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders and create lasting impressions and sustained donor interest.