Building bridges: How intentional campus communication resulted in a successful website redesign

A university's website is one of its most visible and essential assets, yet redesigning it requires more than just technical expertise — it demands institutional buy-in, clear and consistent communication, and a collaborative approach that builds trust. A successful website launch is about more than just the technology and functionality — it's about the people and relationships too. You can launch a beautiful, modern website with all the bells and whistles, but if you didn't take the time to get buy-in or thoughtfully communicate to your stakeholders along the way, then your new website will be met with frustration, mistrust and resistance.

At UA Little Rock, the marketing and communications team recently completed the redesign of the entire university website that included reviewing and updating all 180+ sites and communicating with 300+ site owners. We knew that in order for a project of this scale to be successful, we'd need to provide continuous communication and give the campus community numerous opportunities for input.

For over two years, we implemented a multi-tiered communication strategy that included monthly campus-wide email updates, blog posts, user testing, lunch and learns, and focus groups. Support from leadership was key and multiple presentations were given to the Board of Visitors, Chancellor's Cabinet, Faculty Senate and University Assembly to ensure transparency and trust. We were determined to make sure everyone had a chance to weigh in, give feedback and feel included. We may have been the ones building the website, but we wanted everyone to feel involved and valued.

The result? A smooth project timeline, faculty and staff who felt respected, and the successful launch of a website that truly reflects the needs of our students, faculty and staff.

In this presentation, I will discuss the communication framework that guided this process, the challenges we navigated, the efforts we took to build trust and the strategies that ensured a successful in-house digital transformation. I'll share our redesign timeline and how we communicated about each phase and I'll also provide examples of the emails I sent — along with the numerous spreadsheets I relied on to make sure the right groups received the emails written specifically for them.

This session will show how consistent communication prevents surprises, increases confidence in the project and encourages participation. You will leave with actionable insights on building relationships, fostering trust and how intentional communication can lead to a successful website overhaul at your own institution.