Recent updates to the CPS website were recognized as the Most Improved Division Winner during the 2018 Marketing Awards, awarded by UPCEA (University Professional and Continuing Education Association). The award was presented at the 2018 UPCEA Marketing and Enrollment Management Seminar on November 8, 2018 in Long Beach, California.
The UPCEA Marketing Awards program recognizes the top marketing and creative work across the Association’s membership. This year, UPCEA honored 207 recipients with Marketing Awards for their excellence in 25 awards categories across 8 divisions: Print Publications, Print Advertising, Outdoor/Exhibit Signage, Broadcast Advertising, Mixed Media Campaign, Most Improved, Strategic Recruitment Marketing Plan, and Interactive Media.
The CPS team, led by Dova Wilson, senior digital content associate and website lead, submitted the application for the new GW College of Professional Studies’ website. It won a Gold designation in the Most Improved category, and from among the other Gold winners it was selected as the Division Winner.
The other three team members, Haydn Kuprevich, the director of CPS marketing and recruitment, and marketing managers Jeff Zitomer and Erick Watt-Udogu, were heavily involved in the redesign process.
From left to right: CPS Marketing & Recruitment team members Haydn Kuprevich, Dova Wilson, Jeff Zitomer and Erick Watt-Udogu on the stage at the UPCEA Marketing Conference in Long Beach, CA.
“We undertook the daunting task of redesigning the five-year-old, 345-page website and replacing it with a product that would better serve our audiences. We have been able to transform a large, unwieldy website into a fully revamped product featuring a fresh design, revised content, and cutting-edge technology,” said Wilson.
The process involved coordinating input and content from many stakeholders in CPS and multiple University departments, as well as guiding the project through planning, design, navigation revision, content development, buildout and finally launch. It required a tight schedule with many moving pieces.
As the site was being redesigned from top to bottom, strong emphasis was put on improving the user experience and organic SEO (search engine optimization), as well as incorporating design elements consistent with the university’s overall visual identity.
Since the new CPS website launched January 31, 2018 it has provided a better online experience for visitors. “We were able to show clear improvement and achievement of objectives, supported by metrics submitted as part of the award application process,” said Wilson.