This paper reports on a study to design, develop, pilot test, evaluate, and assess an online Internet community system during the months May-July, 1997 at Nova Southeastern University-Programs for Higher Education (NSU PHE). The system was used as a prototype for developing and studying techniques for building virtual communities. Project research questions addressed: elements that should be present in an online Internet community system; hardware and software system design issues; evaluating the online Internet community; training issues for faculty, staff, and students; and assessing the online community for effectiveness. The virtual community became available for use online on the World Wide Web on September 1, 1997. The intention of the finished product is to provide PHE with the medium necessary to compete in a rapidly changing higher education marketplace. The other purpose of the PHE web site is to increase customer service and satisfaction. This should lead to higher student retention rates, and increased efficiency of administration functions at PHE. Appendices include: evaluation instrument; systems curriculum design model; case study form; PHE Criteria Review Committee; CIT Review Committee and selected criteria; PHE Virtual Web Community pages; PHE Formative and Summative Committees; qualitative case study data; curriculum and data from evaluation training sessions; and a biographical sketch of author. (Contains 115 references.) (Author/SWC)