Technical Writing: Planning Proposal

This planning proposal was the final assignment for my Technical Writing course. The assignment called on me to write a planning proposal to the administrators of Ashford University on how to improve a process or system at the university. This proposal was created for the assignment and was not submitted to the university in an official capacity.

Dear Ashford University Administrators:

As a current Ashford student pursuing my Bachelors Degree online who is approaching graduation, I believe the university has an opportunity to improve its communications about the significance and process of graduation as it relates to students of the online program.

Needs Assessment

My graduation from Ashford University is scheduled for August and the commencement ceremony is scheduled for the second week of October. As of the end of May the only communications I have received pertaining to graduation is instructions on how to submit a “Petition to Graduate”. This involves clicking a button on the website that will trigger an audit of my degree progress and a monetary fee. At two months away from graduation there has been no other communications about it. There is an opportunity to improve in this regards.

Graduation is the culmination of years of work and effort and thousands of dollars. It is a milestone in a person’s life and the first payoff for scholastic perseverance. Based upon my research and personal experience, these things can be improved or implemented:

• Enhance the graduation information page on www.Ashford.edu
• Implement new email communications to promote student's progress towards graduation
• Draw greater emphasis to the link between graduation and  the career services that the university provides to graduates and alumni 

Proposed Plan

Based upon the needs listed above I believe that changes can be done to the way that Ashford University promotes the graduation event for online students at a relatively small cost. The changes that are being suggested are primarily alterations to the website and an increase in electronic communications so the cost for implementation will be minimal. 

Steps to take. Each step from above is explained in more detail below:

Enhance the Ashford.edu graduation information page.

Add graphics to show past ceremonies and to help build excitement. Reposition information on what the graduation events entail from its current position in a “FAQ” list. 

Enhance email communications to promote student’s progress towards graduation.

Adjust emails that are sent out when a student successfully completes a class to tell them how many credits are remaining, and what their anticipated graduation date is. Send students milestone emails when they are 1 year, six months, 4 classes, etc. from graduation.

Link graduation and career services.

The university provides career services to graduates and alumni but this information is not listed anywhere on the graduation page. Add link and information about career services to the “Finishing Your Degree” section of the graduation page.

Limitations

It will be difficult to measure if implementing the suggestions above increase student anticipation and drive towards graduation. However the suggestions above should be simple to implement, with emphasis on the webpage enhancements, and should incur very little cost. By making these page alterations it will increase the presentation of the graduation event and also help to illustrate the university’s continued commitment to impending graduates.