UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The ongoing implementation of LionPATH, the University-wide student information system, was the subject of a report today (Feb. 24) from Executive Vice President and Provost Nicholas P. Jones to the Board of Trustees. Jones said the project is now entering a new phase.
Jones acknowledged the challenges inherent in developing and deploying a large enterprise system such as LionPATH and apologized for frustrations that some faculty, staff, students and parents experienced during the implementation process.
“Initial deployment is now complete for all system modules, including admissions, student records, advising, student billing and financial aid,” Jones said. “Most critical functionalities are operational whether you are using the LionPATH website or the mobile app.”
A new permanent entity, the LionPATH Development and Maintenance Organization (LDMO), is focusing on enhancements to and ongoing support of existing functions.
“The LDMO is already working on improvements to the system’s reporting capabilities and development of a more intuitive and visually engaging user interface,” Jones said. “That is one area where we have heard students’ concerns, in particular, and we are addressing them.”
The Project LionPATH team expects to begin beta testing the new interface with students from throughout Penn State. Then, pending the results of that six-week process, the University hopes to roll out the new interface to all students in May.
In the meantime, two websites have been set up to provide information and support to LionPATH users. One site, lionpathsupport.psu.edu, includes a method to report issues and submit service requests and features a viewable and searchable enhancement request list. Another site, sites.psu.edu/lionpathstudentupdates, enables users to submit feedback to the Project LionPATH team and stay up-to-date about the interface testing.
“These efforts are designed to help all Penn State constituents understand how to use the system, as well as enable them to ask questions, get assistance, and recommend potential upgrades and innovations,” Jones said.
“People from across the University, including volunteer committee members and staff assigned to the project for three years, have engaged in strategic meetings, system testing, writing documentation, and much more – all of which helped to bring this project to fruition,” Jones said. “Thank you all for your dedication to not only Project LionPATH, but to Penn State.”
For more information, read Jones’ full remarks to the board and view his accompanying visual presentation.