MUPA Web site gets a facelift
Since the inception of the MU Postdoctoral Association in 2005, we have had a Web site that has acted as a source of information for postdocs. At the site, visitors could find information such as the bylaws of the organization, a list of ongoing events, application information for travel awards, minutes from past meetings and a whole lot more. While the Web site has served its purpose as a repository of information, the backbone of the Web site was not very aesthetically appealing.
Steven Richardson, Communications Coordinator for the Graduate School, and Summer Foote, Web designer at the Graduate School, are working closely with Steve Mullen, Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, to improve the appearance and functionality of the MUPA Web site.
"The two of us often work on projects that support graduate students and graduate programs on campus, and we are excited to give the MUPA Web site a facelift," Foote said.
Members of the MUPA are delighted to have input from professionals with experience in communications and Web design for this project. The World Wide Web has become ubiquitous, and many people turn first to the Web when looking for information. Hence, it is important for the layout of a Web site to be both aesthetically appealing and logically structured.
Changes that are currently under way include an increased use of images, a changing color scheme and a logical rearrangement of the subpages, including more information and links to outside resources. Perhaps the most important change will be to the home page. The old home page contained mostly text providing a statement of purpose of the MUPA and a few links to subpages. The new home page has brief descriptions of and direct links to upcoming events, so visitors can quickly determine what is going on with the MUPA in the very near future.
"The new Web site will have a better artistic look with more colors, photos and our new logo, which shows that the MUPA has evolved into a more mature group representing the postdoc community. More importantly, its new structure, with a more user-friendly interface for resource and information sharing, will be far more functional," said Jenny Zhang, current MUPA president.
Another area which we hope will be popular is the "Postdoctoral Spotlight" page. Listed there will be significant achievements made by Postdoctoral Fellows at MU. This page is perhaps the best illustration of one key component of the new Web site as well as the MUPA itself, which is the philosophy that the MUPA is to be an organization which has input from all postdocs on campus. Hence, we ask that postdocs not be shy when it comes to promulgating your achievements. Forward any award or accolade information to Steve Mullen, at sfm5ff@missouri.edu, and we will be sure to post it for the world to see.
