Overview

The UMKC Global Framework is designed around a single source of truth for each individual. Following the recommendations in this guide helps ensure profiles remain consistent, directory listings remain accurate, and content is easier to maintain over time.

One Profile Per Person

Each individual should have one Person Profile located within their primary appointment.

If an individual belongs to multiple departments, programs, or offices:

• Add additional AU/Division/Office assignments.
• Add additional Sub-Directory values.
• Add additional Profile Types, when appropriate.

Do not create duplicate profiles.

Why?
A single profile can appear on multiple websites and in multiple directory listings. Maintaining one profile ensures updates only need to be made once.

Follow Asset Naming Standards

Create profile assets using the following naming convention:

last-first

Example

smith-jane

Consistent asset names make profiles easier to locate and maintain.

Use Professional Headshots

Whenever possible, include a professional headshot.

Recommended specifications:

• Square image
• 400 × 400 pixels
• WebP format
• Compressed for web use

Avoid uploading unnecessarily large images, as they increase page load times without improving image quality.

Keep the Biography Focused

The Biography should provide a concise overview of the individual’s professional background.

Use the Biography for:

• Professional summaries
• Research interests
• Teaching philosophy
• Career highlights

Avoid placing lengthy lists of publications, awards, or education directly within the Biography whenever practical.

Instead, organize this information using Additional Biography Sections.

Organize Content with Additional Biography Sections

Use Additional Biography Sections to group related information into clearly labeled sections.

Common examples include:

• Education
• Research Interests
• Publications
• Awards
• Teaching
• Professional Memberships

Organized content is easier for visitors to scan and easier for editors to maintain.

Use Repeatable Fields Correctly

Several profile fields support multiple entries.

Always use the + button to create additional values.

This includes:

• Position Titles
• AU/Division/Office(s)
• Sub-Directories
• Profile Links
• Additional Biography Sections

Do not combine multiple values into a single field using commas or slashes.

Maintain Consistent Sub-Directory Names

Sub-Directory values are entered manually.

The framework does not validate or standardize these values.

Always reuse existing names whenever possible.

Correct

• Biology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Student Success

Avoid

• biology
• Biology Department
• Dept. of Biology
• Biology (with leading or trailing spaces)

Even minor differences create separate organizational groups.

Best Practice
When possible, copy an existing Sub-Directory value rather than typing it manually.

Use Profile Types Carefully

Profile Types determine which directory pages display a profile.

Assign every applicable Profile Type, but avoid selecting unnecessary values.

When multiple Profile Types apply, list the individual’s primary appointment first whenever possible.

Select Every Applicable Organizational Unit

Profiles may belong to multiple AU/Division/Office assignments.

Rather than creating duplicate profiles, simply add each applicable organizational unit to the existing profile.

This allows one profile to appear across multiple websites while remaining easy to maintain.

Keep Contact Information Consistent

For consistency across the website:

Phone Numbers

Use:

816-235-1000

Avoid alternate formatting such as:

(816) 235-1000
816.235.1000

Use official university email addresses whenever possible.

Paste as Plain Text

When copying content from Microsoft Word or other word processors:

• Paste as plain text whenever possible.
• Reapply headings, links, and formatting using the Cascade editor.

This removes unnecessary formatting that can create inconsistent display or accessibility issues.

Publish Every Affected Asset

Remember:

Content changes

Publish the Person Profile.

Organizational changes

Publish:

• The Person Profile
• Every affected Directory page

Always verify changes on the live website after publishing.

Before Creating a New Directory

Before creating a new directory page:

• Confirm that a similar directory does not already exist.
• Verify the correct Profile Type(s).
• Verify the correct AU/Division/Office.
• Reuse existing Sub-Directory values whenever possible.

Creating unnecessary directory pages increases long-term maintenance.

Before Contacting the Web Team

Before submitting a support request, verify:

• The profile has been published.
• The directory page has been published.
• The profile contains the correct Profile Type(s).
• The profile contains the correct AU/Division/Office assignment(s).
• The Sub-Directory exactly matches the Directory Listing Subset.
• There are no extra spaces or inconsistent capitalization in the Sub-Directory value.
• The profile appears in the expected directory before testing search functionality.

Many directory-related issues can be resolved by reviewing these items.

Summary

Following these best practices helps maintain a consistent, searchable, and scalable directory system across UMKC websites.

By maintaining one profile per individual, using consistent organizational values, and publishing affected assets after making changes, editors can ensure that profiles and directory pages remain accurate across the Global Framework.