Jayhawk Welcome Center

Putting Future Jayhawks in the Story

Challenge: How do you create a recruitment and alumni experience that feels personal, memorable and unmistakably KU? The University of Kansas set out to raise the bar with the Jayhawk Welcome Center, creating a space that could do more than simply welcome visitors. It needed to help prospective students picture themselves on campus, help alumni reconnect with their story and give every guest a strong sense of belonging from the moment they walked in. The goal was to build an experience that stood apart from other institutions while bringing together storytelling, technology and school pride under one roof.

Solution: To bring that vision to life, university stakeholders partnered with DI to create one of the smartest and most curated welcome centers in higher education. Alongside immersive brand elements, environmental graphics and standout moments throughout the crimson-and-blue space, DI developed, fabricated and installed the center’s touchscreen technology and digital interactives. The team also created a custom content management system that integrates with the university’s existing enrollment software, making it easy for KU staff to manage and update content in real time.

The result is a tech-forward environment designed to help visitors experience KU in a more personal way. Directly behind the lobby, the Jayhawk Experience uses mirrored LED screens, 360-degree content, video and surround sound to immerse guests in campus life. From celebrating a national championship alongside “The Phog” at Allen Fieldhouse to taking a virtual tour of the university’s renowned broadcast station, the Jayhawk Experience transports visitors across campus to give a sense of what life at KU could look like. The interactive storytelling helps prospective students explore student majors, alumni stories, traditions, research initiatives and notable leaders, showing the many paths and possibilities that come with being a Jayhawk.