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Client

UBC Student Services

Communication Services

Roles

Project Lead, Service Designer, Facilitator, Client Relations

Objective

​​To transform UBC's student communications into a student-centred model by mapping existing systems, understanding student needs, and developing actionable solutions for better communication and service delivery.

UBC- becoming student-centred

01

Challenges

  • How might we transform UBC's student communication strategy and service delivery model in the face of increasing student diversity and limited student media attention?
     

  • We were confronted with a fragmented communications ecosystem where students received information from a wide range of sources that weren't always alined. Our challenge: to redesign student-facing communications to reduce redundant inquiries, increase service adoption, and create a more equitable resource allocation across departments. 

03

Impact

  • Streamlined communication processes across departments

  • Enhanced student access to services and reduced communication barriers

  • Improved resource allocation efficiency

  • Created a scalable framework for future cross-departamental initiatives

  • Framework to foster a collaborative institutional culture

  • Established clear metrics for communication effectiveness

02

Problem Space

  • Students struggled to navigate UBC's complex web of services and communications. Multiple departments sent information through various channels without coordination, leading to confusion and missed opportunities for student support. The wide range of students needed individually different information. The institution needed to shift from department-centred to student-centred communication.

04

Output

  • Comprehensive ecosystem map

  • Student personas and journey maps

  • Communication principles framework

  • Communication planning matrix

  • Validated landing page prototype

  • Implementation roadmap

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Methodology and steps

The project consisted of the following steps:
 

  • 16 stakeholder interviews plus survey

  • 25 student interviews

  • Six co-creation workshops with a wide range of stakeholders for mapping out future journey maps, priority matrix for communication projects and communication principles

  • Landing page redesign

  • Regular stakeholder engagement and reporting

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Key Findings & Solutions

1 / Research Insights
  • All stakeholder were passionate about supporting students

  • Communication gaps between departments

  • Inconsistent information delivery

  • Students overwhelmed from multiple channels and amount of communication

  • Strong need for personalized communication paths from students

2 / Solutions & Deliverables
  • Unified communication framework

  • Cross-departmental collaboration model

  • Resource optimization strategy

  • Student-centred messaging guidelines

3 / Results
  • Improved student satisfaction

  • Streamlined departmental processes

  • Enhanced resource utilization

  • Stronger sense of working towards the same goal

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Katja Clark, Director, Student Communications Services UBC

"Most impactful, to me, is that I've found this whole process clarifying on a deeper level, especially in terms of understanding how we can support students in such a complex institution."
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Reflections

The project demonstrated the power of human-centred design in transforming institutional communications. By focusing on student needs while considering operational realities, we created sustainable solutions that benefited both students and staff. 
It was amazing to see how folks came together and found solutions collaborative that would benefit stakeholders and students.

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