Allen Community College’s website — described as its “front door” to the online world — will soon get an upgrade.
College trustees approved a request to spend upward of $50,000 for the new site’s development, which should make it easier to navigate for prospective students or other newcomers to the college.
Nikki Peters, director of advising and enrollment, and Carla Smith, with the college’s marketing team, gave trustees an extended look Tuesday at what an improved website would allow.
As it stands, Allen’s website — allencc.edu — is information-heavy, and difficult to navigate to find basic information for prospective students, Peters said.
The centerpiece is a simplified, yet more aesthetically pleasing menu pointing students to specific programs or areas of study, financial aid opportunities and other essentials, Peters explained.
With a new site, a student could easily figure out which courses to take for graduation, when those courses are scheduled, how much they cost, and then how those credits would transfer to four-year universities.
While much of that information is available, it’s often difficult to find, she said.
The higher price tag is necessary because the upgrades are considered design elements and must be a part of the college’s contract with Finalsite, which developed the site for the college.
“We cannot do these changes under the current structure of our contract,” Peters said, which costs the college about $16,000.
With online students in 45 states, “our website has to get their attention right away, and get them what they need right away,” ACC President Dr. Bruce Moses added.
While the cost hike is not ideal, Trustee Lonnie Larson noted, he acknowledged website development services are costly. He was joined by fellow trustees Gena Clounch, Vicki Curry, Robin Schallie, Jenny Spillman and Jessica Thompson in agreeing to pay for the new website.
Peters said the updated site will be online prior to scheduling of fall classes for the 2023-24 school year.
She estimated it will take the developers about 250 hours of design time, further consultation with the college and several revisions before the new site is ready.
“We’re not going to eliminate pages,” she said. “We just want a different front door.”
In a related matter, Cynthia Jacobson, vice president for student affairs, noted Allen’s enrollment is down from a year ago. Enrollment figures as of the first day of classes were about 4% lower than the same date in 2021.
