Year One Insights: Student Experience

The DSX Program comprises three initiatives that will integrate and support each other in delivering on the promise of simplifying and personalizing the Humber student journey. In February, we shared some details about the three elements of the DSX program, and I am pleased to be able to provide updates on the progress of this important work to date. 

Enterprise Web Strategy – Digital Experience Platform and Content Management System (DXP)  

Humber has been working with external vendor Northern Commerce on the DXP project. In March 2024, more than 2,700 people were surveyed about Humber’s current website and what elements would be beneficial in redesigning the site. This survey group included current students and staff, prospects and alumni. Following this work, the DXP team is developing a personalized and continuous browsing experience across all Humber sites, including:  

  • Adjusting content based on data analytics to improve the experience for prospective students  
  • Creating standardized, modular design components to support the simplified creation/update of content  
  • Maintaining a brand presence and a consistent look and feel across all of Humber’s websites  
  • A new centralized way to easily search, share and download digital assets such as photos, video clips, etc.

Within this platform are a Content Management System and a Digital Asset Management System. The Content Management System will host all of Humber’s websites on a modern, centrally managed platform. The first website to launch with a refined look and functionality will be the International webpage in August, followed by an updated Real Estate Education Program webpage. 

The Digital Asset Management System will be a content hub with Humber brand assets, photography, video and graphic elements for use across Humber in communications and other material. As we recently shared in the Communiqué, an initial set of 2,500 to 3,000 high-quality photos will be searchable and accessible for download through the DAM in June. Read the full DAM update.  

Digital Identity (DI) 

DI will provide a single Humber identity that offers personalized and secure experiences in every interaction. DI includes:  

  • One single identity through your entire Humber journey  
  • Access automatically evolves with roles  
  • Single, universal and evolving profile that is consistently available across the applications you use 

In May, we finalized the high-level DI architecture supporting this work. We also began to define the vendor selection process and engage with internal DI partners. We are on track to select our implementation partner and start the design phase in June.   

Enrolment and Admissions Rethinking (E&AR)

Enrolment & Admissions Rethinking (E&AR) focuses on automation that will offer faster admissions decisions and a personalized process that builds early relationships with prospects and applicants. Once fully implemented, this will help Humber achieve strategic enrolment goals by providing personalized interactions through a centralized online admissions experience. 

The E&AR team has concluded the initial discovery phase, which involved workshops to capture and confirm more than 380 functional requirements and build a future state process flow. Consultation and input will continue as the team moves into the next phase of the project and proceeds with the release of the first admissions in 2025.   

The input of the Humber community is critical to all aspects of DSX work. I am grateful for the cross-project collaboration and integration that is happening with DXP, DI and E&AR.  
 
Scott Briggs 
Vice-President, Digital Innovation and CIO