MA/MBA Student Onboarding Experience
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Scope
User Research & UX/UI Design
Client
Johns Hopkins University &
Maryland College Institute of Art
Duration
2 Weeks
problem
As the MA/MBA program combines to degrees from two separate schools, the student onboarding experience can be confusing and isolating. Additionally, Students equate the onboarding experience with their first-impressions of the program as a whole.
Stakeholder Map
research strategy
Along with user interviews, a card sort exercise was conducted with current students, faculty and alumni to uncover the chronological order and order importance users placed on each onboarding activity.
key insights
1. Senior MAMBAs are an important resource for new students
2. It's not just about providing all the information; it's partially about the roll-out of that information
3. Administrators lack critical information regarding other school's functions, and are generally under-resourced
Current State Journey Map
"I was excited to start and then chaos, once all the onboarding information came."
"Original logic was based on full-time MBA calendar - But that was totally different after receiving first email."
Key Insights
1
Senior MAMBAs are an important resource for new
students
2
It's not just about providing all the information; it's partially about the roll-out of that info
3
Administrators lack critical info re other school's functions, and are generally under-resourced
How might we integrate senior MA/MBA students into the onboarding process to allow new students to feel supported and aid under-resourced administrators?
Ideation: Forced Pairing
design principles
1. Information must be easy to find, follow and understand within one single location.
2. Our solution will be empathetic towards all internal stakeholders.
3. Our solution will make students feel connected to their community.
4. This solution will leverage pre existing knowledge to allow for the building and expanding of past student experiences.
5. The solution will provide guidance and support to all incoming MAMBA students.
solution
Create an integrated digital platform combining onboarding elements from both schools. Introduce a stage-gate process for students to step through as they are onboarded to the program. Allow administration to easily communicate with students and gain visibility to student progress throughout onboarding. Leverage senior MA/MBA students to provide additional guidance within each stage for incoming students.
Student Wireframes
Administration Wireframes
