Overview

CSI is an ongoing initiative to design a centralized system where Purdue student organizations can partner with CGT students for help with websites, branding, and creative technology.
This project is currently in active development, with the first semester completed. Our team has drafted contracts, conducted research, interviewed potential stakeholders, built the initial platform concept, and created a preliminary website prototype.

 

This is a long-term, multi-semester engagement that will continue expanding throughout next term.

 

Problem

Many Purdue student organizations lack the technical support or staffing needed to maintain quality websites and digital materials. Challenges include:
• No dedicated web developers or designers
• Outdated or inaccessible websites
• Difficulty communicating identity and activities to students
• No streamlined way to request help from CGT students

 

This creates a gap in campus digital equity and limits how smaller organizations present themselves.

 

My Role

Throughout semester one, I contributed to:
• Researching the problem space and documenting user needs
• Client outreach and early stakeholder interviews
• Brainstorming system structure, workflows, and platform features
• Creating UX artifacts, sketches, early wireframes, and IA concepts
• Writing commitment documentation and forming the team contract
• Helping build the foundation for the platform’s service model

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This work will continue as the project enters semester two.

 

Key Insights

Across research, interviews, and competitive analysis, we identified:
• Organizations need personalized, ongoing support—not one-off fixes
• Students gain significant portfolio value through real-world client work
• A centralized model prevents fragmentation across Purdue’s campus
• Under-resourced groups struggle most with technical maintenance
• Sustainability requires documentation and simple, repeatable workflows

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These insights directly informed the structure of the CSI platform.

 

Solution (In Progress)

We are developing a web-based platform that matches Purdue organizations with CGT students. Core components include:

Client Portal

• Request support, track project status, and communicate with student collaborators.

Student Portal

• Task assignment, project dashboards, and documentation access.

Resource Library

• Guides, tutorials, and maintenance resources for organizations after handoff.

Operational Model

• Documentation, contracts, workflows, and acceptance testing criteria that allow future CSI cohorts to maintain the system.

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The first semester produced initial prototypes and the full commitment documentation required for stakeholder approval.

 

Impact (To Date)

After semester one:
• The team secured a client and drafted binding agreements
• A platform structure, scope, and set of deliverables were defined
• Early prototypes and matching-process concepts were created
• Team norms, roles, and interdisciplinary workflows were formalized

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Full impact will be evaluated after semester two when development, usability testing, and final handoff occur.

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Next Steps (Semester Two)

• Develop the full web prototype in WordPress
• Conduct usability testing with prospective users
• Build the student–client matching system
• Finalize the resource library and documentation
• Deliver a functional pilot platform for review
• Prepare long-term sustainability and handoff materials

 

Documentation

• Commitment + Production Documentation (Contract, Charter, Test Plans)
• Team Formation & Roles Document
• Project Pitch & Value Proposition