[Case 07]
DeConnect: DePaul University’s Professional Networking Platform - 33% increase in student-alumni engagement within the first quarter
Education
DeConnect
A dedicated digital hub bridging students, faculty, and alumni for career growth, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities unique to the DePaul community.
[Project Overview]
DeConnect was conceptualized as DePaul University’s exclusive professional networking solution, designed to address the limitations of generic platforms like LinkedIn. While DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network and other resources offer valuable connections, there was a clear need for a centralized, DePaul-specific platform that could foster deeper relationships, mentorship, and collaboration among students, faculty, and alumni. DeConnect streamlines networking, career exploration, and knowledge sharing within the university ecosystem, supporting users at every stage of their professional journey
[Problem Statement]
How might we empower the DePaul community with a tailored networking platform that enables meaningful connections, supports mentorship, and drives professional development—beyond what is possible with mainstream social networks?
[Industry]
Education
[My Role]
UX UI Graphics Designer
[Platforms]
Desktop
[Timeline]
2 months
[Persona]
Jordan Lee
Junior, Computer Science Major
Jordan is actively seeking internships and wants to connect with alumni in tech, but finds it difficult to identify relevant contacts and mentors through existing channels.
Age: 23
Location: Chicago, IL
Tech Proficiency: High
Gender: Male
[Goals]
Connect with alumni and faculty in their field of interest
Find mentorship and career guidance tailored to DePaul students
Access exclusive job postings and collaborative project opportunities
[Frustrations]
Overwhelmed by the impersonal nature of large platforms like LinkedIn
Difficulty identifying and reaching out to DePaul alumni in specific industries
Lack of a centralized hub for university-specific networking and events
[Process]
[User Research]
Conducted interviews with 30+ students, faculty, and alumni about their networking experiences and unmet needs
Analyzed engagement data from ASK Network and LinkedIn groups to identify gaps in current networking outcomes
Surveyed 200 students: 67% reported challenges in finding DePaul-specific professional contacts
[User Research]
Conducted interviews with 30+ students, faculty, and alumni about their networking experiences and unmet needs
Analyzed engagement data from ASK Network and LinkedIn groups to identify gaps in current networking outcomes
Surveyed 200 students: 67% reported challenges in finding DePaul-specific professional contacts
[Insights]
Students and alumni want a trusted, DePaul-branded space for networking and mentorship
Faculty desire a platform to facilitate academic-industry collaboration and student engagement
University-specific events, forums, and groups are highly valued for building lasting professional relationships
[Insights]
Students and alumni want a trusted, DePaul-branded space for networking and mentorship
Faculty desire a platform to facilitate academic-industry collaboration and student engagement
University-specific events, forums, and groups are highly valued for building lasting professional relationships
[Design Solutions]
Curated Connection Algorithms Match students with alumni and faculty based on shared interests, majors, and career aspirations
Integrated Mentorship and Discussion Forums Dedicated spaces for mentorship requests, Q&A, and topic-based networking within the DePaul community
Exclusive Opportunities and Events Feed Centralized listing of DePaul-only internships, job postings, workshops, and networking events
[Design Solutions]
Curated Connection Algorithms Match students with alumni and faculty based on shared interests, majors, and career aspirations
Integrated Mentorship and Discussion Forums Dedicated spaces for mentorship requests, Q&A, and topic-based networking within the DePaul community
Exclusive Opportunities and Events Feed Centralized listing of DePaul-only internships, job postings, workshops, and networking events
[Test]
Prototyped core flows (connection requests, mentorship matching, event sign-ups) and tested with 40 users
Iterated on the dashboard layout to prioritize recommended contacts and upcoming events
Refined notification and messaging features based on feedback for clarity and engagement
[Test]
Prototyped core flows (connection requests, mentorship matching, event sign-ups) and tested with 40 users
Iterated on the dashboard layout to prioritize recommended contacts and upcoming events
Refined notification and messaging features based on feedback for clarity and engagement
[Outcome]
33% increase in student-alumni engagement within the first semester
21% more mentorship connections established compared to previous ASK Network metrics
Positive feedback on platform usability and the sense of belonging to a DePaul-specific professional community
[Case 07]
DeConnect: DePaul University’s Professional Networking Platform - 33% increase in student-alumni engagement within the first quarter
Education
DeConnect
A dedicated digital hub bridging students, faculty, and alumni for career growth, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities unique to the DePaul community.
[Project Overview]
DeConnect was conceptualized as DePaul University’s exclusive professional networking solution, designed to address the limitations of generic platforms like LinkedIn. While DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network and other resources offer valuable connections, there was a clear need for a centralized, DePaul-specific platform that could foster deeper relationships, mentorship, and collaboration among students, faculty, and alumni. DeConnect streamlines networking, career exploration, and knowledge sharing within the university ecosystem, supporting users at every stage of their professional journey
[Problem Statement]
How might we empower the DePaul community with a tailored networking platform that enables meaningful connections, supports mentorship, and drives professional development—beyond what is possible with mainstream social networks?
[Industry]
Education
[My Role]
UX UI Graphics Designer
[Platforms]
Desktop
[Timeline]
2 months
[Persona]
Jordan Lee
Junior, Computer Science Major
Jordan is actively seeking internships and wants to connect with alumni in tech, but finds it difficult to identify relevant contacts and mentors through existing channels.
Age: 23
Location: Chicago, IL
Tech Proficiency: High
Gender: Male
[Goals]
Connect with alumni and faculty in their field of interest
Find mentorship and career guidance tailored to DePaul students
Access exclusive job postings and collaborative project opportunities
[Frustrations]
Overwhelmed by the impersonal nature of large platforms like LinkedIn
Difficulty identifying and reaching out to DePaul alumni in specific industries
Lack of a centralized hub for university-specific networking and events
[Process]
[User Research]
Conducted interviews with 30+ students, faculty, and alumni about their networking experiences and unmet needs
Analyzed engagement data from ASK Network and LinkedIn groups to identify gaps in current networking outcomes
Surveyed 200 students: 67% reported challenges in finding DePaul-specific professional contacts
[User Research]
Conducted interviews with 30+ students, faculty, and alumni about their networking experiences and unmet needs
Analyzed engagement data from ASK Network and LinkedIn groups to identify gaps in current networking outcomes
Surveyed 200 students: 67% reported challenges in finding DePaul-specific professional contacts
[Insights]
Students and alumni want a trusted, DePaul-branded space for networking and mentorship
Faculty desire a platform to facilitate academic-industry collaboration and student engagement
University-specific events, forums, and groups are highly valued for building lasting professional relationships
[Insights]
Students and alumni want a trusted, DePaul-branded space for networking and mentorship
Faculty desire a platform to facilitate academic-industry collaboration and student engagement
University-specific events, forums, and groups are highly valued for building lasting professional relationships
[Design Solutions]
Curated Connection Algorithms Match students with alumni and faculty based on shared interests, majors, and career aspirations
Integrated Mentorship and Discussion Forums Dedicated spaces for mentorship requests, Q&A, and topic-based networking within the DePaul community
Exclusive Opportunities and Events Feed Centralized listing of DePaul-only internships, job postings, workshops, and networking events
[Design Solutions]
Curated Connection Algorithms Match students with alumni and faculty based on shared interests, majors, and career aspirations
Integrated Mentorship and Discussion Forums Dedicated spaces for mentorship requests, Q&A, and topic-based networking within the DePaul community
Exclusive Opportunities and Events Feed Centralized listing of DePaul-only internships, job postings, workshops, and networking events
[Test]
Prototyped core flows (connection requests, mentorship matching, event sign-ups) and tested with 40 users
Iterated on the dashboard layout to prioritize recommended contacts and upcoming events
Refined notification and messaging features based on feedback for clarity and engagement
[Test]
Prototyped core flows (connection requests, mentorship matching, event sign-ups) and tested with 40 users
Iterated on the dashboard layout to prioritize recommended contacts and upcoming events
Refined notification and messaging features based on feedback for clarity and engagement
[Outcome]
33% increase in student-alumni engagement within the first semester
21% more mentorship connections established compared to previous ASK Network metrics
Positive feedback on platform usability and the sense of belonging to a DePaul-specific professional community
[Case 07]
DeConnect: DePaul University’s Professional Networking Platform - 33% increase in student-alumni engagement within the first quarter
Education
DeConnect
A dedicated digital hub bridging students, faculty, and alumni for career growth, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities unique to the DePaul community.
[Project Overview]
DeConnect was conceptualized as DePaul University’s exclusive professional networking solution, designed to address the limitations of generic platforms like LinkedIn. While DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network and other resources offer valuable connections, there was a clear need for a centralized, DePaul-specific platform that could foster deeper relationships, mentorship, and collaboration among students, faculty, and alumni. DeConnect streamlines networking, career exploration, and knowledge sharing within the university ecosystem, supporting users at every stage of their professional journey
[Problem Statement]
How might we empower the DePaul community with a tailored networking platform that enables meaningful connections, supports mentorship, and drives professional development—beyond what is possible with mainstream social networks?
[Industry]
Education
[My Role]
UX UI Graphics Designer
[Platforms]
Desktop
[Timeline]
2 months
[Persona]
Jordan Lee
Junior, Computer Science Major
Jordan is actively seeking internships and wants to connect with alumni in tech, but finds it difficult to identify relevant contacts and mentors through existing channels.
Age: 23
Location: Chicago, IL
Tech Proficiency: High
Gender: Male
[Goals]
Connect with alumni and faculty in their field of interest
Find mentorship and career guidance tailored to DePaul students
Access exclusive job postings and collaborative project opportunities
[Frustrations]
Overwhelmed by the impersonal nature of large platforms like LinkedIn
Difficulty identifying and reaching out to DePaul alumni in specific industries
Lack of a centralized hub for university-specific networking and events
[Process]
[User Research]
Conducted interviews with 30+ students, faculty, and alumni about their networking experiences and unmet needs
Analyzed engagement data from ASK Network and LinkedIn groups to identify gaps in current networking outcomes
Surveyed 200 students: 67% reported challenges in finding DePaul-specific professional contacts
[Insights]
Students and alumni want a trusted, DePaul-branded space for networking and mentorship
Faculty desire a platform to facilitate academic-industry collaboration and student engagement
University-specific events, forums, and groups are highly valued for building lasting professional relationships
[Design Solutions]
Curated Connection Algorithms Match students with alumni and faculty based on shared interests, majors, and career aspirations
Integrated Mentorship and Discussion Forums Dedicated spaces for mentorship requests, Q&A, and topic-based networking within the DePaul community
Exclusive Opportunities and Events Feed Centralized listing of DePaul-only internships, job postings, workshops, and networking events
[Test]
Prototyped core flows (connection requests, mentorship matching, event sign-ups) and tested with 40 users
Iterated on the dashboard layout to prioritize recommended contacts and upcoming events
Refined notification and messaging features based on feedback for clarity and engagement
[Outcome]