Westmont College Student and Staff Directory: A Modernized Digital Transformation
Westmont College, consistently ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the country, has embraced technological advancements to enhance campus life. Nestled in the foothills of scenic Santa Barbara, the college is known for its rigorous academics, strong sense of community, and commitment to global engagement. As part of this commitment, Westmont College has invested in its digital infrastructure, including the development of a new and improved Student and Staff Directory. This initiative, spearheaded by the Center for Applied Technology Lab (CATLab), aims to modernize the user experience, improve data accessibility, and address privacy concerns.
The Need for an Overhaul
The previous student and staff directory system at Westmont College faced several challenges. According to CATLab project lead Josh Fitzgerald, the old system had "buttons that no one knows what they do," referring to numerous icons that lacked clear purpose for students. The outdated and clunky user interface was in dire need of a revamp to meet the expectations of a 21st-century digital environment.
Furthermore, students expressed concerns about their privacy on the existing directory, which by default displayed phone numbers and home addresses of all current Westmont students. This lack of control over personal information sharing prompted the need for a revised system that prioritized student privacy.
Another area of focus was the staff directory, which operated on a separate interface from the student program. The CATLab team aimed to create a unified and user-friendly system that catered to the specific needs of both students and staff.
The CATLab Solution: A Sleek and Modern Program
The CATLab Mobile Development team, consisting of Brycyn Gossett and David Ponce de Leon, under the guidance of Staff Software Engineer Charles Ryu, took on the challenge of rebuilding the Student and Staff Directory. The result is a sleek and modern program designed to efficiently navigate students and staff wherever they need to go.
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The redesigned directory boasts several key improvements:
Revamped Filter System
One of the most significant enhancements is the revamped filter system. The previous directory offered limited search capabilities, lacking the ability to specifically request students in a particular major or minor, or search for sections in a residence hall.
The overhauled directory provides students and staff with access to new filters, enabling them to easily find specific information. Professors can now quickly locate students in their department, students can find fellow residence hall members, and more. This enhanced search functionality streamlines the process of finding relevant information within the Westmont community.
Enhanced Privacy Controls
Addressing student privacy concerns was a top priority for the CATLab team. In the new directory, students have the ability to decide what information they choose to share with fellow students. They can easily turn off the sharing of their address or phone number via a direct search on the directory, giving them greater control over their personal information.
Visual Overhaul
The CATLab team recognized the need to modernize the visuals of the directory to align with contemporary design standards. The new system features a simple grid-based layout, replacing the confusing and overlapping rows of the past iteration. Directory searches are now displayed with a card-based grid, presenting student data in an easy-to-understand format. This visual overhaul enhances the user experience and makes it easier for students to quickly access the information they need.
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Tailored Staff and Faculty Directory
In addition to revamping the student experience, the CATLab team redesigned the Staff and Faculty Directory to be tailor-made to fit the needs of Westmont employees. This dedicated interface provides staff members with the tools and information they need to efficiently perform their duties.
This app was proudly rebuilt by the Center for Applied Technology Lab (CATLab) Mobile Development team.
Westmont's Commitment to Technology
The development of the new Student and Staff Directory reflects Westmont College's commitment to being a leader in mobile technology in higher education. The college has a history of embracing technological advancements to enhance the learning and living experience for its students and staff.
The Westmont College App for iOS, introduced in 2010 and updated frequently, provides students with access to important campus resources and information. The Westmont Community Guide App offers guidance to new students and families regarding orientation, campus events, clubs and organizations, and an interactive campus map.
Westmont was the first school in the nation to transition all wireless access to 802.11n, implementing over 300 wireless access points across campus to provide nearly 100% coverage. Wireless access is also available at off-campus apartments in Santa Barbara and at the urban center in San Francisco.
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Recognizing the importance of internet access, Westmont has invested heavily in this area, dramatically increasing wireless speeds since 2009. Residence halls currently have nearly 1 Gbps of Internet access, while the library, classrooms, and college offices have access to a dedicated DS3.
The recently renovated Voskuyl Library Learning Commons integrates technology and traditional library services in spaces designed to inspire students to learn, think, and imagine. Westmont iTunes U features over 3,000 videos and audio lectures, Westmont Downtown Lecture Series, and other special events. The college has also converted over 30 years of recorded chapel talks, which are now available to the public on iTunes. WestmontTV, a YouTube channel, provides access to much of the same content.
Westmont College is dedicated to protecting the data of its students, faculty, and staff. The IT team is constantly working to ensure that data is adequately protected and that technology-related services are useful and enjoyable. The college's goal is to become one of the top technology departments in higher education.
Westmont College: An Overview
Westmont College is a small, 4-year, private liberal arts college located in a suburban setting in Santa Barbara, California. The college is primarily a residential campus, offering bachelor's and certificate degrees.
Key facts about Westmont College:
- Size: Small
- Setting: Suburban
- Type: Private liberal arts college
- Residential: Primarily residential campus
- Degrees: Bachelor's and certificate degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 77.04%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Average Per Year After Aid: \$36K
Westmont College consistently ranks among the best liberal arts colleges in the country, known for its rigorous academics and deep love of God. The college features a close-knit community of approximately 1,300 students, a strong teaching faculty, and small class sizes.
Students develop close personal relationships with leading scholars, many of whom pursue significant research and invite students to join them in their projects. The college intentionally offers all students opportunities to engage in research and showcases their work in a symposium each semester.
Westmont is strongly committed to global education, encouraging students to study off campus and develop cross-cultural skills, engage the church throughout the world, and address global challenges. Westmont faculty lead programs on four continents, with semesters in San Francisco and downtown Santa Barbara emphasizing entrepreneurship and significant internships. Approximately half of students study off campus, and more than 70 percent engage in internships.
Westmont's professors and classes provide outstanding preparation for graduate school, and alums have attended some of the finest universities in the world. More than 93 percent of graduates who apply to medical school get accepted. In recent years, 97 percent of graduates are employed or pursuing graduate school within six months of graduation.
Learning at Westmont includes participation in student clubs, sports, activities, and service projects. Athletes can compete with 15 intercollegiate teams. Westmont has captured more than 95 Golden State Athletic Conference team championships and nine National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championships, ranking among the top 10 NAIA institutions for overall achievement.
Musicians perform with accomplished choirs and instrumental groups, the theater and music program stages classic plays and operas performed at some of Santa Barbara's iconic theaters, and art students study in beautifully designed studios and exhibit artwork in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, which also hosts exhibitions by leading global artists.
As a nondenominational Christian college, Westmont embraces a spirit of inquiry and provides a safe place where students can explore their faith.
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