Purdue University Northwest / Marketing and Communications / Strategy and Guidance / Website / CMS Guide / Getting Started

Getting Started

This guide will help you log in and start using PNW’s website editing tool.

Follow the steps listed below, and you’ll be ready to make updates!

 

A screenshot of the Purdue Login interface. Prominent text includes: Purdue University, Purdue Login, Career Account Username and Password, all on a gold and black background.

Logging in to the PNW website

The PNW website uses WordPress, a content management system (CMS), which requires internet and VPN access.

  1. Open your web browser.
  2. Go to pnw.edu/login.
  3. Sign in with your Purdue username and password.
  4. Approve the two-factor authentication prompt.
  5. You’re logged in!

Please note: To log in, you will need to be on a campus network or connected via VPN to access the page.

Navigating the CMS

Explore tips for navigating the PNW website when you are logged in.

A screenshot of the PNW WordPress dashboard.

Once you have successfully logged in, you will be redirected to the WordPress Dashboard.

The dashboard provides an overview of site content and serves as a helpful “home base” while working on the site.

You can navigate back to the dashboard at any point by clicking the “Dashboard” icon at the top of the left sidebar.

The black ribbon at the top of the screen is called the “Ribbon Toolbar.” This toolbar allows you to easily navigate around the website.

IconWhat It Does
Three small, black houses stacked up in a pyramid. They all feature white doors.

My Sites



Where you will find a listing of all of the sites that you are able to edit.
A single black house with a white door.

Current Site



Lists the site that you are currently on. Allows you to quickly switch between the dashboard and live site.
A camera icon overlaps the top of a music note.

New



Allows you to quickly create new posts, media, pages, events and tables.
An icon of a calendar. The bottom right corner of the icon is raised slightly.

Events



Quickly view the calendar or add new events.
Three small, black houses stacked up in a pyramid. They all feature white doors.

Account



Edit your profile and log out from here.

It is important to log out of WordPress when you are finished managing your content.

Tip: If you work on multiple sites, always double‑check which one you’re accessing before making changes.

The left side menu contains all your main editing tools. This is where you will spend most of your time navigating between types of pages.

IconWhat It Does
A solid black circle that is slightly cut off on the bottom. There is a white dial in the bottom center, pointing between two of the five white dots aligned to the top of the circle.

Dashboard



The main page you see after logging into the PNW website.
A solid black pushpin.

Posts




Where news and new-related content can be submitted to the Web Team for review.
An icon of a calendar. The bottom right corner of the icon is raised slightly.

Events




Where upcoming events can be created and submitted for Web Team review.
A camera icon overlaps the top of a music note.

Media




Where uploaded content (images, files, etc.) can be viewed and edited.
A solid black rectangle overlaps another solid rectangle to look like stacked papers.

Posts




The most central building block to the PNW website. You are on a page right now!
An icon of a square filled with a grid of smaller squares. The top right corner of the large square is open and the smaller squares look like they are floating out of the opening.

TablePress




Allows you to create and edit tables for the website.
A solid black circle with a white, left pointing triangle in the center

Collapse




Collapses the side navigation pane.