UNC Pembroke unveiled its redesigned website on Wednesday, January 22. It promises to be a more engaging experience for visitors who are familiar with the site or those who want to learn more about the university.

In addition to a responsive design that adapts for mobile, tablet and desktop users, the site is more visually engaging, with larger photographs and video content.

It is UNCP’s first new web design in 10 years and has been in planning and development stages for almost a year. The launch will take place in stages. Top tier pages and most academic departments and programs were part of today’s launch and remaining web pages will be migrated to new the new site over the next two months.

Existing users will find the familiar structure and navigation tools.  Unchanged are the Quick Links drop-down menu and “A – Z Index.”  However, a menu button in the upper left hand corner replaces the former navigation bar. With a click of the mouse, the menu button expands from the left side of the screen with expandable menu choices. Featured are links to Blackboard, Braveweb and Webmail.

On the homepage, news will be featured more prominently as will “Upcoming Events.”  Social media, including links to the university’s new YouTube channel, will be more accessible and visible. The homepage will feature a Twitter, Facebook and YouTube feed.

For prospective students, buttons will be available prominently on a ribbon across the page featuring “Visit Us,” “Request Info” and “Apply Now.”

“We wanted the site to be more user friendly and focused on presenting a realistic, vibrant view of the institution,” said Sandy Briscar, executive director of university communications and marketing. “Our goal moving forward is to keep the content throughout the site fresh and to be a helpful yet engaging resource for prospective students, alumni and other constituents.”

The new website gives viewers a visual look of UNCP and some new ways to look at the university, including expanded use of video. It also features the university’s evolving branding program with the new word mark.

Going forward an intranet of content expressly for students, faculty and staff will be developed.

The new design has been a work in progress since summer 2013. A working group led by Lawrence Locklear, web publisher, and comprised of staff from University Communications and Marketing and the Division of Information Technology worked with VisionPoint Marketing of Raleigh, N.C.  Throughout the process, the group consulted with administrators, faculty and students about design and functionality. 

The new site can be viewed at www.uncp.edu.