The Office of the Provost has committed to making a strategic investment in Illinois Online to elevate Illinois’ visibility and competitiveness in online education.
Why Illinois Online Matters
Illinois Online is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s campus-wide platform for showcasing online and professional education. It functions as:
- A recruitment gateway: A primary destination for prospective learners researching Illinois’ online programs, including credit and non-credit bearing content such as online degrees, undergraduate and graduate certificates, and Coursera and Canvas Catalog course offerings.
- A comprehensive catalog: Centralizing access to online courses and programs across colleges and units.
- A prospect pipeline: Nurturing interest and connecting prospective learners to specific academic programs.
Path Forward
The proposed improvements align with three core aims:
Drive More Traffic
- Implement modern search engine optimization (SEO) practices and digital marketing strategies.
- Improve search visibility so that Illinois programs appear prominently when learners search for online degrees.
Improve Prospective Learner Experience
- Redesign the site for ease of navigation, mobile responsiveness, and accessibility.
- Connect the platform to campus systems to ensure accurate, real-time program and cost information.
- Introduce searchable filters, AI-based tools, and chat support to guide learners.
Strengthen Recruitment Follow-up
- Strategize around improving lead tracking, communication, and prospect management, with consideration for staffing and structural solutions.
- Integrate customer relationship management (CRM) and analytics systems to personalize outreach and reduce response times from days to minutes.
Implementation Framework
1
Project Initiation & Search Engine Optimization
Sep 2025 – Jan 2026
Define scope, objectives, stakeholders, updated budget, and establish governance structure.
Research and review ~8 SEO vendors and start contract with provider under budget (BrightEdge).
2
Benchmarking & Current Site Audit
Feb 2026 – May 2026
Benchmark online website with other Big 10 institutions and conduct a current site audit (IO implementation group with BrightEdge).
3
Content Development & Design
Feb 2026 – Jun 2026
Create architecture blueprints (page & course templates), webpage designs, and database integration plans (BrightEdge input from current site analytics).
4
Stakeholder Feedback
Jul 2026 – Sep 2026
Seek college feedback on blueprints and content from OLAC & college deans.
5
Site Development & Soft Launch
Site Development: Oct 2026 – Apr. 2027
Soft Launch: May 2027 – Jul 2027
StratCom to develop website with constant communication with IO implementation group for feedback and direction (BrightEdge involvement).
Alignment with illinois.edu site.
6
Site Launch and Continuous Improvement
Aug 2027 – Nov 2027
*No end date for continuous improvement
Execute site launch, campus announcements, site marketing plan launch, user testing and continuous improvement.
Implementation Team
- Kalee Ackerman, Strategic Communications and Marketing
- Alyssa Aiello, Strategic Communications and Marketing
- Lisa Anderson, Provost/EVC, Office of Online Learning
- Erika Albin, Office of the Registrar
- Michel Bellini, Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning
- Kelly Birky, Strategic Communications and Marketing
- John Hart, Grad College, Office of Professional Education
- Charlotte Peloquin, Strategic Communications and Marketing
- Eden Smothers, Provost/EVC, Office of Online Learning