NEW: “View All Resources” option implemented as alternative to pagination of search results
Users searching for a resource will now see a “View All Resources” button below the initial set of cards, allowing all entries to be displayed on a single scrollable page for improved accessibility and efficiency. Filters surface cards related to a topic or keyword and can be leveraged with the “View All Resources” option to see related items on a single page.
Metropolitan State University of Denver this summer launched the newly redesigned Faculty and Staff Hub. As the academic year begins, the University is working to ensure that all employees are aware of the updated, resource-focused platform and the enhanced functionality it provides.
University Communications and Marketing reintroduced the Faculty and Staff Hub with direct input from employees, aiming to better support their holistic work needs. Since the relaunch, the site has recorded over 30,000 sessions, with thousands of repeat visitors.
“We wanted to ensure that faculty and staff not only have clear access to tools and resources but also the information they need to do their jobs effectively,” said Andrea Smith, associate vice president of Strategic Communications.
“An internal communications assessment revealed employees were often unaware of available tools or their purposes, leading to confusion and sometimes duplication of resources. While this new tool represents a shift in how some work gets done, we welcome ongoing dialogue to ensure that it works well for everyone.”
Reflecting employee feedback
The website’s debut was soft-launched in January to allow for beta testing and gather critical employee input. Enhancements were made based on that feedback, and the site officially launched in June. For example, based on user suggestions, the Quick Links menu now highlights commonly accessed platforms and resources more prominently.
Additional changes implemented based on employee preferences include:
- A streamlined menu layout: The homepage menu was redesigned to prominently feature Quick Links, ensuring that the most frequently accessed resources, such as Canva and email, are always positioned at the top for immediate visibility.
- A unified resource hub: All support materials and tools were consolidated into a single searchable page, eliminating the need to navigate across multiple sections.
- Intelligent categorization with filters: Introduced dynamic filters that allow users to easily group and browse resources by category (e.g., Advising, Banner/Canvas, etc.), simplifying discovery of related tools and information.
- Enhanced search capabilities: The search functionality was upgraded to recognize abbreviations, common acronyms and descriptive keywords, ensuring that users can find relevant resources even with varied search terms.
- “View All Resources” option added to bypass pagination: Users searching for a resource will now see a “View All Resources” button below the initial set of cards, allowing all entries to be displayed on a single scrollable page for improved accessibility and efficiency.
User feedback is continually reviewed to ensure that the tool evolves in alignment with the University’s needs.
Enhancements and new features
The overhaul was informed by a 2022 internal communications assessment, which highlighted employee frustration with fragmented access to work resources. Key improvements include:
Search and filters: Materials can be quickly located using keywords and topic-based filters on the Resources page.
Quick Links and access to common tools: An intuitive menu at the top of the homepage now offers one-click access to high-demand tools such as Outlook and Canvas.
Dynamic content: Featuring timely Early Bird stories, announcements and event information for greater awareness and engagement
Accessing the site and providing feedback
Since early June, all legacy Faculty and Staff Hub links have been redirected to the new platform. Employees can bookmark the new site in their browsers for easy daily access. Specific tools used most frequently can also be bookmarked to ensure quicker access.
Feedback and questions can be submitted via the “We want to hear from you” form in the site map at the bottom of the Hub. The Digital Marketing and Content Strategy team will continue to monitor usage and refine the platform to ensure that it meets employee needs well into the future.
