Much like online businesses or blogging, higher ed is a world of its own with unique challenges, content, stakeholders, and target audiences. In our world, we don’t worry so much about which eCommerce plugin is best. Instead, we’re more concerned with how to manage a large-scale network of faculty blogs, abide with FERPA regulations, and implement Active Directory single sign-on. This talk will showcase how WordPress is used in the world of higher ed and how we’re a great candidate for utilizing WordPress to its full potential, whether it’s using the powerful CMS to stretch limited resources or using its new API capabilities to share information and break down silos.

1. Using WordPress in the
World Of Higher Education
Rachel Carden - @bamadesigner - http://bamadesigner.com

2. The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, AL
This is where I work.

4. Mississippi University for Women - Columbus, MS
This is where I started in higher ed.

6. Samford University - Birmingham, AL
This is where I started in higher ed web.

8. The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, AL
This is where I started using
WordPress in higher ed web.

12. Why is WordPress great for higher ed?
• Cost
• Community / Open-Source
• Flexibility
• User management / distributed responsibilities

14. Allegheny College, Boise State University, North Carolina State University,
Covenant Theological Seminary, Washtenaw Community College, University
of Central Arkansas, Maryville University, Lafayette College, Southern
Arkansas University at Magnolia, the University of Rhode Island, Erikson
Institute, New Mexico State University, the University of Arkansas at Little
Rock, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Georgia State
University, John Carroll University, the University of Maine, St. Mary's
University, Nicholls State University, University of British Columbia (Vancouver
Campus), Washington State University, University of Maine at Augusta…
Institutions Using WordPress

15. … University of Mary Washington, The University of Alabama, New York
University, University of Maine at Augusta, Brown University, University of
Birmingham, University of Florida Health, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law,
Iowa State University, Brescia University College, Spring Arbor University,
Hampshire College, John Caroll University, Washington University in St.
Louis, Rutgers University, New Mexico State University, Loyola Marymount
University (Los Angeles), Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising,
Eastern Wyoming College, Dawson College, Culver Academies, University of
Wisconsin-Madison, Old Dominion University, University of Michigan…
Institutions Using WordPress

16. … Smith College, Harvard Law School, Eastern Washington University,
Western University, Middle Tennessee State University, Brandon University,
Williams College, Georgia State University, Villanova, University of Findlay,
Carleton University, University of Richmond, Williams College, University at
Buffalo, University of Tennessee, Bellevue College, James Madison
University, University of NC Greensboro, BYU, Missouri State University,
Walsh University, Wheaton College, Whitworth University, Indiana University,
Saint Joseph's University, University of Westminster, Pasadena City College,
The University of Texas at Austin, Cornell University…
Institutions Using WordPress

17. … Berea College, Williams College, University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
Columbia University, Duke University, University of Washington, Bryn Mawr
College, UNC Charlotte, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, University of
Wisconsin-Madison, New Mexico State University, UC Berkeley, Elon
University, University of Missouri, Boston University, Iowa State University,
Monash University, University of Arkansas, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Allegheny College, Lafayette College, University of Maine, Washington
University in St. Louis and many more!
Institutions Using WordPress

19. UMWBlogs supports over 7,000 blogs and sites; nearly 10,000 user accounts

20. UBC Blogs is a multisite install
with over 10,000 sites and over 30,000 users

21. NYU has over 2,000 sites on their multisite publishing network

28. Needs/Use Cases in Higher Ed
• Institutional, departmental and division websites
• Microsites
• Sharing news and events
• Online versions of institutional or alumni magazines

29. Needs/Use Cases in Higher Ed
• Faculty/student blogs
• Intranets/student portals
• Employee directories
• Digital signage

30. Needs/Use Cases in Higher Ed
• Email newsletters
• Campus maps/virtual tours
• Alert system for crisis communication
• Access control request systems

31. • Security, security, security
• Methods to organize/display research data
• Digital asset management
• Social networks
Needs/Use Cases in Higher Ed

32. • Virtual classrooms
• Online textbooks
• ePortfolios
• Single sign-on with Active Directory, LDAP, CAS, etc.
Needs/Use Cases in Higher Ed

33. • Learning management systems
• Presentations and lectures
• Open courses
• Policy management
Needs/Use Cases in Higher Ed

34. http://www.d.umn.edu/~lcarlson/atteam/lawsuits.html
Higher Ed Accessibility
Lawsuits, Complaints, and Settlements

35. http://wpcampus.org - @wpcampusorg

36. Updated 10/8/15

37. Attending: 291 (97%)
Planning: 106 (35%)
Speaking: 165 (55%)
Hosting at your university: 64 (21%)
Sponsoring: 50 (17%)
Getting Involved with
Out of 301 submissions - Updated 10/8/15

38. INTERESTED ATTENDEES BY CITY/STATE
Updated 10/8/15

39. UNIVERSITIES INTERESTED IN HOSTING
Updated 10/8/15

40. CHOOSING THE BEST TIME OF YEAR
Updated 10/8/15

41. Updated 10/8/15

42. • Community Management
• Student blogging
• Setting up/managing instructional design of courses
• Integration of WP with learning management system (LMS), use
of WP as the LMS, and lots and lots of examples/demos of how
WP has been used in classrooms.
Other sessions? Feedback from WPCampus members

43. • Focus on research, portfolio and blogging
• Student-focused sessions
• Anything!
• Best use of multimedia
• User management
Other sessions? Feedback from WPCampus members

44. • Security
• Recruitment strategies
• Integrating various channels for distribution
• Multisite in higher ed
• Single sign-on active directory v.s. open LDAP
Other sessions? Feedback from WPCampus members

45. • Instructional Design
• Scalability: How to safely set up a large, multiuser
implementation. AWS, large databases, proper plugins, best
practices, etc.
• Tech support / admin of WordPress
• Maintaining A WordPress site. Working Together.
Other sessions? Feedback from WPCampus members

46. Learn more about WPCampus
http://wpcampus.org
View WPCampus Planning Data
http://wpcampus.org/planning/data/

47. Any questions?
Rachel Carden
@bamadesigner
http://bamadesigner.com