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A&W Takes Vaughn College Website to Greater Heights

February 2012

Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology's website now features Innovative, custom functionality that gives prospective and current students unprecedented access to the New York high-tech school's campus—in more ways than one.

Designed by the same Austin & Williams interactive team that initially created the site in late 2010, the Phase II enhancements comprise a  "Virtual Vaughn" online tour for time-strapped prospective students as well as a completely interactive portal for current students.

"Key to a successful, engaging higher education website is to meet the informational needs of diverse visitors—prospective students and their influencers, current students and faculty as well as alumni," explains Eva LaMere, Executive Vice President at Austin & Williams. "Our initial site navigation that segments content by audience enables Vaughn to do just that; the new customized functionality takes it to the next level."

The "Virtual Vaughn" channel uses custom flash programming and combines video, photography and illustration to highlight the College's campus and surrounding areas—showcasing everything from academics and athletics to the new Residence Halls—via three experiential student-focused segments: live, learn and play.

"The virtual tour has become an integral component of Vaughn's overall recruitment strategy," says Ernie Shepelsky, Vice President of Enrollment Services and Public Affairs. "It's not only a great tool for students who are searching for college information online, our recruiters are also using it on their iPads at college fairs and other events to help give prospective candidates the true Vaughn experience."

For current students, Austin & Williams developed an online portal that enables each one to create a customized dashboard for easy access to a variety of tools and resources—their Vaughn email and e-portfolio, the student database, Library, staff and faculty directories, Career Services and more—as well as communicate with other students and professors.

"The new portal is a big hit with Vaughn students and faculty alike," adds Shepelsky. "It fosters greater communication and provides one easy-to-use, interactive source for nearly everything a student may need. It was a major undertaking for the College, but Austin & Williams was more than up to the challenge."

The agency, which specializes in higher education marketing, uses the latest in interactive techniques and strategies to help their college and university clients keep their often—complex websites fresh, engaging and relevant to their diverse constituencies.