Northwestern State University of Louisiana Higher Education Website Design
A Digital Foundation for Student Success.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public university serving a diverse student population across Louisiana and beyond. Known for its strong academic programs, student support services, and deep community roots, NSU plays a critical role in preparing students for meaningful careers while advancing economic and cultural vitality throughout the region.
01
Discovery & Research
Discovery & Research
Discovery and research revealed that many prospective NSULA students are first-generation college students or are weighing alternatives like community college or skipping college altogether. These students need clear, practical answers about cost, career outcomes, and fit, not academic jargon or dense content. Instead, the existing site overwhelmed them with complex navigation and internal language, making it harder to understand how NSULA could realistically support their goals. This insight reframed the project around clarity, guidance, and confidence building, helping students see not just what NSU offers, but why choosing NSU makes sense for them.
02
Web Strategy
We developed a new site structure rooted in audience intent and career stage. The core organizing principle became the leadership journey — from early-career educators to sitting superintendents — with additional layers for district-wide partnerships and insight-based tools.
Content Strategy
Content is written in clear, approachable language and structured to answer common questions students may be hesitant to ask, particularly first-generation students navigating college for the first time. Program pages connect areas of study to related careers, helping students understand the real-world value of a degree. Navigation and search tools make it easy to explore by interest rather than academic terminology, reducing friction and helping students move forward with confidence.
Site Map
Together, these decisions repositioned the website from an internal information hub to a clear, student-focused recruitment tool. The final experience meets students where they are, answers the questions that influence enrollment decisions, and clearly communicates why NSU is a practical, welcoming, and worthwhile choice.
03
Web Design & Development
Our design approach centered around elevating storytelling while preserving clarity. We created a modern, accessible design system built to showcase both human stories and systemic impact.
Clean Site
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Student focused
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Statement about statistics and the impact of our work.
41%
Increase in visitors on “How to Apply” page
Before, users were getting lost or bouncing before they could find that page. So it speaks to the improvement of site architecture
100%
Increase in on-campus enrollment
They had a goal of increasing on-campus enrollment (vs. online) and they achieved 100% for the first time this year. Though maybe that happened before the launch.
