The web team is dedicated to providing an effective user experience to NIU website visitors. Our work enables us to promote a positive impression of the university and extend the reach of the extraordinary scholarship, research and artistry taking place at NIU.
The web team provides strategy and support for NIU websites, collaborating with colleagues across campus to align web objectives with organizational strategies. We provide technical support and training to internal users, enabling them to update and maintain their sites effectively.
Web team members have experience or advanced degrees in higher education, graphic design, marketing, data analysis and journalism. We stay current with the latest tools and best practices in web development, user experience and accessibility, helping position NIU for future growth and success. View a directory of web strategy and support staff.
Analytics
The web team uses Google Analytics to track web data. Analytics reveal insights about how people use NIU websites and guide us in updating content and navigation. Web update coordinators can request analytics reports by submitting a web analytics request form.
Templates and Guidelines
NIU websites are hosted in Cascade, our web server and content management system. The web team creates and updates sites in Cascade using templates aligned with best practices in design, usability and accessibility.
Our templates include an option for promoting employment opportunities. This template is intended for positions that will be advertised externally or are needed to comply with legal specifications for the permanent residency employee process. Request a custom job posting landing page.
The content and format of NIU sites are guided by state and federal laws and other policies and standards. There are some differences in guidance for faculty sites.
Web Update Coordinators
NIU departments and offices have varying web support needs. Each area has a designated web update coordinator who works with the web team to meet those needs, which increases consistency across sites and reduces opportunities for miscommunication. View the list of web update coordinators.
Training
Web update coordinators complete training before assuming their role, as well as annual refresher training to continue in it. A small number of central offices have additional Cascade access, which the web team assigns based on a site’s complexity and update volume. This access is not available by request. For more information about training, email webtraining@niu.edu.
Get Help
We are here to help you with your NIU website needs. Please contact us at webcommunications@niu.edu if you have a question or need more information.
The web team is part of University Marketing in the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications.