Journey King
Amid the flurry of federal actions this year that have affected higher education institutions and research, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) decided to launch a website to provide the most up-to-date information and advice to UMB faculty, staff, and students.
UMB’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs (OCPA) turned to Journey King, MS, web developer, interactive media, who was tasked with creating the website. In just about a week, Navigating Federal Orders and Guidance was up and running.
“Journey played an instrumental role in the rapid development of the time-sensitive website, ensuring that the UMB community remained informed and up to date on evolving executive orders and legislation,” said Hope McGovern, assistant director of marketing and brand management, who worked with King on the website. “Her ability to swiftly implement solutions under tight deadlines has been invaluable in keeping the University engaged and well-informed.”
For her work, King learned during a videoconference May 19 that she had been selected as UMB’s Employee of the Month for May, with UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, surprising her with the news. Laura Kozak, MA, chief marketing officer and senior associate vice president, and two dozen OCPA colleagues joined in the online celebration.
“You’ve done a wonderful job here with your work on our website, and you have obviously done a lot to uphold UMB’s core values,” Jarrell said in telling King that she was being honored.
Kozak praised King for her dedication, hard work, and positive attitude.
“I was so thrilled when I heard that you had been nominated,” Kozak said. “So many people comment on what a delight you are to work with.”
When the request came in to add the Navigating Federal Orders and Guidance webpage, King, part of OCPA’s Web Design and Development team, gathered information from the stakeholders and created a webpage that would be useful.
“I created a structure for the clients to be able to be flexible, for the page to grow, but also for it to be useful and be able to be built quickly,” she said, pointing out that the request came shortly before the web team’s launch of UMB’s redesigned website. “The thing that was kind of difficult was I was doing double the work, because I had to build it in one site, and then I had to build it in the new site.”
McGovern said King’s ability to collaborate makes her an asset to UMB.
“She is always willing to assist colleagues, offering support with patience and enthusiasm — even in challenging situations,” McGovern wrote in nominating King for the award. “Her collaborative approach and commitment to excellence make a significant impact on the success of our digital communications.”
In April, UMB launched its redesigned website, which King played a role in developing during a two-year process.
“It was a team project. We all worked together and brought our own ideas to the table. I did a lot with the research at the very beginning, so I led focus groups,” she said.
She also worked on assessing navigation of the website.
“A lot of my projects lately have been working on navigation and understanding how people go through the website and trying to improve their experience,” King said. “How do they explore the website? How do they find new things? And how can we make it easier for them to find the things that they need?”
Amir Chamsaz, ScD, MS, managing director, web development and interactive media, and King’s supervisor, said her contributions to the website redesign showcased her dedication, technical expertise, and attention to detail.
“I can give her a task, and she researches, finds the solutions, learns the things that she doesn’t know, makes it happen, and then shares the result with us,” he said. “I appreciate that about her, how much she takes initiative.”
Chamsaz added that King has managed numerous redesign projects that have significantly improved user navigation and engagement across the University’s websites.
King has redesigned six webpages this year, including those for Financial Aid and the SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors.
“I try to make the sites more engaging and more user-friendly,” she said. “We have a lot of information, so it's hard to organize all of that information in a way that makes sense.
“For the SAFE Center, I had free range to design something interesting and meaningful, because their work affects a lot of people.”
King, who has worked at UMB for more than two years, said her favorite parts of the job are her team and using her creativity.
“I like how much I get to learn. Everyone on my team is so diverse in their skills, and I get to learn a lot about what they bring,” she said.
King, who has a background in theater, said her job is a good outlet for her creativity.
“I think that I’m put on the world to build things,” she said. “I like innovating, and I like researching.”
King, who will receive a certificate, a letter of commendation, and an extra $250 in her next paycheck for the award, thanked Kozak and Chamsaz for the opportunities they’ve given her as well as McGovern and the OCPA team for their support.
“I can contact anybody on the team, and they’re always willing to help,” she said.
King said she was surprised to receive the honor.
“I know many people who work so hard here, and I feel honored to be considered for this award,” she said. “I’m really thankful.”
— Jen Badie
