This spring semester began with two new UHCL specific applications oriented toward students. GetInvolved and Navigate provide students with a closer look at their university experience through differing lenses.

GetInvolved is a web-based app focused around student life experiences in student organizations and at on-campus events. The website will eventually be rolled out as a downloadable mobile app as well, offering students a new way to stay connected to campus via their mobile devices.

GetInvolved is a platform that enables student services and student organizations to interact with students on a localized social network, allowing students to search the growing number of organizations that interest them, contact the organizations directly and log their membership in the organizations they join.

“I’m basically the go-to person for all things GetInvolved on campus,” said Dillon Nash, coordinator of student life for organizations and activities, who offers consultations and assistance to student organizations or departments looking to take advantage of the new platform. “The primary goal is to engage students on a higher level.”

Organizations are able to create and distribute forms (such as an application to join), plan events to broadcast across campus via an event calendar and even conduct yearly elections all within “GetInvolved.”

“This will help all organizations and students get themselves out there,” Nash said.

The application will also produce a co-curricular transcript where all service hours and involvement is collected, which students can print and attach to their resume upon graduation.

Students and organizations have had some time to utilize the application, although this year’s Student Orgs Expo saw the first widespread implementation of the GetInvolved app as Student Life staff used it to check students into the event and encouraged them to use the application.

The second app, Navigate operates as an assistant for students as they plan their way through their degree. The application allows students to schedule advising appointments, view their weekly class schedule, explore career options in their major and find “study buddies” in enrolled classes, among many other features.

Tim Richardson, interim associate vice president of student success and initiatives, is the project lead for implementation of the Navigate mobile application, which students are able to download and utilize now.

“The app is currently available for all first-time undergraduate degree-seeking students to download,” said Kristi Rickman, director of transfer advising and student transitions and navigate application administrator.

The mobile app is currently supported by Google Play and Apple. Students can still use the application through the web version. 

“Navigate is designed to help student[s] access with their support network through an app which integrates the offices, faculty, and staff dedicated to their success,” Richardson said.

Navigate also encourages students to get involved in exploring their career and planning their education with “Explore my Major” features similar to that of the Career Services’ portal. Although the career services functions aren’t yet completely available through “Navigate,” more features will be implemented later.

“When completed, it is meant to encourage students to make appointments, attend career events, etc,” said Chuck Crocker, director of career services.

Angie Montelongo, director of orientation and new student programs said Navigate’s primary goal is focused on student success.

“The goal is for students to have better communication and easier access to their academic adviser,” Montelongo said.

The application has been promoted at recent orientation sessions for first-year and transfer students at UHCL.

“[Navigate] could be considered a one-stop shop for information on student resources, important deadlines or making appointments,” Montelongo said.

The app is still in development (Phase 1) and will see full implementation in fall 2019.

“We are excited for the faculty to begin utilizing Navigate in the summer (Phase 2) and then all of our other support services (Phase 3) in the fall so that collaboratively we can all form a web of support that will ensure our first-time degree seeking students are supported here at UHCL through until graduation,” Rickman said.

These new applications arrive in a time where mobile applications are increasingly popular for colleges to implement for students.

“The new apps have the potential to give students opportunities to interact, engage and connect with campus culture,” said Flor Gonzalez, biology major.