Skip to main content
Contact Us

UT Websites, Built Right

Official UT-approved vendor delivering strategy-first websites built with Torch WDS.

See Our Work
Let's Talk

Why Campus Partners Choose Second Mile

At Second Mile, we specialize in creating high-impact websites for UT’s colleges, departments, and programs — all built using the University’s Torch WDS. From admissions to academic programs, we combine strategic thinking, content clarity, and technical excellence to deliver websites that work for UT.
user-graduate-duotone-thin(1)
Built by Vols, for Vols

We’re Knoxville locals, led by a proud UT alum. Our team understands UT’s culture, processes, and audiences — and we’re always available for in-person collaboration.

school-circle-check-duotone-thin(1)
Proven Experience Across Campus

Over the past four years, we’ve partnered with 12+ campus units and colleges, including Admissions, One Stop, Vols Online, CECS, and more. We know the Torch WDS inside and out.

folder-tree-duotone-thin(1)
Strategy Before Development

Great design starts with clear content and structure. We focus on your goals and user needs first — ensuring your site is easy to navigate and achieves its purpose.

Websites We’ve Built for
UT Knoxville

Trusted across campus — here’s a look at our work in action.

screencapture-admissions-utk-edu-2025-03-03-16_46_55-1 View Details
screencapture-voledge-utk-edu-2025-03-06-19_13_58 View Details
utk-one-stop-website View Details
utk-vols-online-website View Details
utk-cecs-website View Details
screencapture-dining-utk-edu-2025-03-06-18_41_40 View Details
screencapture-alumni-utk-edu-2025-03-06-18_54_02 View Details
screencapture-cpell-utk-edu-programs-courses-2025-03-06-19_03_00 View Details
screencapture-conferences-utk-edu-2025-03-06-19_18_18 View Details
Let's Get Started

Our Process: Smart, Clear & Built for Campus Teams

We’ve refined our process to make website projects smooth and stress-free for busy campus teams — balancing creativity, strategy, and technical expertise every step of the way.

Step 1: Listen & Learn

We meet with your team to understand exactly what you need — and why.

Step 2: Structure & Strategy

Before we design a pixel, we make sure your content is clear, organized, and goal-driven.

Step 3: Design & Build

We bring it all together in Torch WDS, ensuring every page looks great and works even better.

Step 4: Launch & Train

We coordinate launch day with OCM and OIT and train your team so you’re confident managing the site moving forward.

Flexible Services to Fit Your Needs

From strategy to launch (and beyond), we do it all — but you don’t have to buy it all. Need help just with content strategy? User journey mapping? Analytics setup? We offer every service à la carte or as part of a full website build.

Explore Your Options
Discovery & Strategic Alignment
  • Stakeholder interviews & surveys to understand goals, audiences, and challenges
  • Current website audit & competitive analysis (peer institutions)
  • Analytics review to identify user behavior patterns and content gaps
  • Comprehensive project roadmap aligned to UT goals and brand guidelines
User Journey Mapping & Requirements
  • Development of 3–5 detailed user personas
  • Mapping of current & future user journeys
  • Identification of friction points and wishlist features to improve UX
Information Architecture & Content Strategy
  • Full content inventory & audit
  • Collaborative site map and navigation design
  • Content strategy aligned with SEO, brand voice, and accessibility standards
  • Guidance on content creation, editing, and governance for long-term success
Design (Torch WDS-Driven)
  • Wireframes for up to 14 core page types
  • Fully Torch WDS-compliant design with reusable components
  • Mobile-first, accessible layouts that match UT’s brand while meeting your unique needs
Quality Control & Compliance
  • Cross-browser & device testing
  • WCAG accessibility testing & compliance reporting
  • Performance testing & speed optimization
Analytics & Tracking Setup
  • GA4 + Google Tag Manager setup with event and conversion tracking
  • Custom goal setting and data strategy aligned to your website objectives
Training & Retainers
  • Hands-on training with video recordings
  • Custom training guide + ongoing content governance strategy
  • Monthly website sprints for development, design, updates, features, and functionalities across websites and Slate Portal
  • Website Technical Support

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

Truly felt like a partnership-- we had ideas of what we wanted, but were educated and trained along the way, receiving key insights of other considerations we had not previously thought through. Our need was visually compelling website that we could manage on our own without in-house web developer(s), and the result has been better than expected.

Josh Steele
Vols Online

This is the second time I have worked on a project with Second Mile and the beginning-to-end care, planning, service, and results were incredible. In fact, I began to work with Second Mile based on a reco from a colleague. Happy to continue to spread the word!

Richard Lee
Division of Student Success

The Second Mile Marketing team is outstanding—they keep projects moving on schedule, are efficient and turn things around quickly, and provide valuable insights rooted in data & research. They're also just a fun bunch of people to work with who love what they do and the connections they create. Our experience with them has been nothing short of fantastic.

Brittney Cannon
Enrollment Management Communications

Second Mile have been incredible partners! Clear and proactive communication, great question-asking and listening to make sure they understand our needs, creative problem-solving, and on-time delivery. The smoothest relationship I've ever experienced with a vendor. Wouldn't think twice about working with them again!

Doug Porter
Vol Edge

We've worked with many vendors during our CRM and digital engagement migration. Second Mile has been, by far, the most pleasant to work with. We're also very happy with the templates that were developed for our campus advancement websites and the branding that was applied to each to make them unique. 10/10 would recommend Second Mile!

Melanie Edwards
UT Foundation

Working with Second Mile to create our new website has been an incredible experience! From the start, their team was professional, responsive, and fully dedicated to understanding our vision. The end result is a stunning website that perfectly aligns with our brand and has already proven to be a huge help for our organization. The site is not only visually appealing but also highly functional and user-friendly. They exceeded our expectations in every way.

Megan Henderson
UT Conferences & Events
Transform Your Website

Need a Campus Website Expert? Let’s Talk

You’ve got goals. We’ve got the tools and the know-how to make them happen. Ready to chat? Drop us a line — we’d love to meet you.