Laurentian University recognized the need to improve how students accessed and managed their academic information. To address this, we developed the myLaurentian Student Portal—a self-service dashboard that brought clarity, consistency, and control to the student experience. As the lead for UX research, UX/UI design, branding, and interface execution, I guided the transformation of this vision into a fully responsive, accessible platform. This initiative was launched in tandem with the physical myLaurentian Hub to reinforce the university’s commitment to digital-first service and student empowerment.
Problem
Before the implementation of the myLaurentian Portal, students encountered several key issues:
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Information Fragmentation: Academic information, tools, and services were spread across multiple disjointed systems and websites, making them hard to find and navigate.
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Inefficient Communication: Email and in-person queries created bottlenecks and led to student frustration due to delays and lack of transparency.
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Limited Resource Accessibility: Crucial documents like academic calendars, policies, and service information were inconsistently presented and not mobile-friendly.
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Lack of Personalization: The existing systems failed to adapt to individual student needs, limiting their ability to manage their own academic paths proactively.
Solution
Our approach was human-centered and iterative. We focused on building a tool that felt as intuitive as it was powerful. Key phases included:
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User Research & Needs Assessment: We conducted student surveys, interviews, and focus groups to uncover pain points and expectations.
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Collaborative, Cross-Functional Design: Working alongside IT, student services, and faculty stakeholders, I led the design of a personalized, modular dashboard that reflected the student journey.
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Unified Digital Experience: The portal integrated seamlessly with existing systems like the LMS and student records, delivering one cohesive interface.
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Visual Identity & Accessibility: I created the portal’s branding and ensured WCAG 2.0 compliance, developing a clear, student-friendly UI that worked across devices and accessibility needs.
Impact
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The launch of the myLaurentian Student Portal had a wide-reaching, measurable impact:
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Enhanced Student Experience: Students gained a centralized view of their academic life—tailored, accessible, and visually engaging.
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Efficiency Gains: Reduced reliance on email and in-person support by enabling students to self-serve with confidence.
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Empowered Decision-Making: Students could track academic progress and make more informed choices using built-in analytics tools.
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Increased Engagement & Satisfaction: The portal received high praise from students and staff alike, with rapid adoption and ongoing positive feedback driving further enhancements.
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The myLaurentian Student Portal represents a pivotal shift in how students interact with university services—placing control, clarity, and confidence in their hands. By designing with users at the center, we not only addressed long-standing issues in communication and accessibility but also built a scalable digital foundation that supports future innovation in student engagement.
