ProgramsMBA Interterm (SPRING 2022)ProjectsBenchmarking museum digital programming for The Morton Arboretum’s ...

Project Title: Benchmarking museum digital programming for The Morton Arboretum’s post-COVID planning (Remote)

The Morton Arboretum

Details
Project Title Benchmarking museum digital programming for The Morton Arboretum’s post-COVID planning (Remote)
Project Topics Community Organization and Social Action Growth Strategy Strategic Planning
Skills & Expertise
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
The Morton Arboretum, a leading nonprofit botanical museum and outdoor living tree laboratory in Illinois, adapted rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic to introduce digital programming and remote engagement for its visitors and members. As in-person programming has resumed, the Arboretum is evaluating how to strategically integrate, scale, or sunset its digital offerings. The challenge lies in understanding the evolving landscape of digital engagement across museums, cultural institutions, and environmental organizations—and how The Morton Arboretum can leverage these tools to further its mission, enhance educational access, and build resilient audience engagement strategies.

This project invites a student team to benchmark digital programs from peer institutions, assess visitor engagement and demand, and provide strategic recommendations for how The Morton Arboretum can best integrate digital experiences into its future programming portfolio.
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
  • Identify and benchmark post-COVID digital programming efforts across botanical gardens, science museums, and environmental institutions.
  • Review The Morton Arboretum’s current digital offerings and their alignment with the organization’s mission, educational goals, and audience development strategies.
  • Interview stakeholders and analyze audience engagement data to assess the impact and reach of existing digital efforts.
  • Develop criteria for evaluating the effectiveness, sustainability, and equity of various digital strategies.
  • Provide recommendations for a post-COVID digital engagement strategy, including high-impact opportunities for future growth, scaling, or streamlining of resources.
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
  • A comparative landscape analysis of digital programming across at least 8–10 peer organizations.
  • A well-defined framework to assess the performance and mission alignment of current digital initiatives.
  • Actionable recommendations that balance cost, reach, mission impact, and institutional sustainability.
  • High-quality final deliverables that inform future strategic and programmatic decisions for the Arboretum.

Project Timeline

The Morton Arboretum - Benchmarking museum digital programming for The Morton Arboretum’s post-COVID planning (Remote)
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Mon, 01/03/22
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Milestone Deliverable #2
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Mon, 01/03/22
12:00 AM UTC
Temperature Check #2 Due by 5:00 PM ET
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Please use the link below to complete Temperature Check #2 Notre Dame spring 2022 Student Temperature Check #2
Thu, 02/03/22
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Milestone Deliverable #3
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Optional: Only if four milestones and deliverables exist for your project. Otherwise, please upload all final materials to the Milestone #4 Timeline Item Below
Mon, 02/28/22
12:00 AM UTC
Program Kickoff
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location:
Thu, 03/03/22
12:00 AM UTC
PROJECT COMPLETE: UPLOAD FINAL DELIVERABLES - Milestone #4
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Please upload your final presentations and/or any final reports you delivered to the company.
Sun, 04/03/22
12:00 AM UTC
Final PEER Evaluation Due
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Please use the link below to complete the Peer Assessment Survey Notre Dame spring 2022 Peer Assessment Survey
Sun, 04/03/22
12:00 AM UTC
Final SELF Evaluation Due
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Please use the link below to complete the Self Assessment Survey Notre Dame spring 2022 Student Self Assessment Survey
Sat, 07/02/22
12:00 AM UTC
UPLOAD STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
During this program, you\'ll be working on a real project posed by a real industry partner. Please download, sign, and then upload the Statement on Intellectual Property Property Rights. If your industry partner requires an additional NDA, that will be loaded as a Project Resource.
Sat, 07/02/22
12:00 AM UTC
UPLOAD UP-TO-DATE RESUME
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Tue, 08/02/22
12:00 AM UTC
Travel & Accommodations Finalized
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
If travel and accommodations are required for your project, all logistics must be finalized no later then this date. Anthony� Travel is your dedicated travel agency for all school-related travel. Their contact information has been provided to you by email.
Temperature Check #1 Due by 5:00 PM ET
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Please use the link below to complete Student Temperature Check #1 Notre Dame spring 2022 Student Temperature Check #1
Deadline for Students to Submit Project Preferences
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
link coming soon
OFFICIAL PROJECT KICKOFF
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Each company will provide a time and location for your kickoff meeting
Kick-off Self-Assessment Evaluation Due
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Please use the link below to complete the assessment Notre Dame spring 2022 Self Assessment Kick Off Survey
Submit Milestone Deliverable #1
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Teams Finalized, Projects Assigned
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Students will be connected with their project mentors and can begin reviewing their project details. They will begin to prepare for the experience logistically, especially if their engagement requires travel. Companies are encouraged to request a meet-and-greet with students virtually if schedules permit.

Program Managers

Name Organization
Jim Cunningham University of Notre Dame

Teams

Team Name  Project Name  Team Members 
No Teams Available