Engagement App

To promote student engagement across Penn State’s twenty-four campuses, SEN is developing a comprehensive, University-wide tool known as the Engagement App. The purpose of the Engagement App will be to provide all Penn State students with a centralized, University-wide platform that connects them with the wide range of engagement experiences available to them at Penn State. Leading up to the public launch of the app in August 2022, SEN will be reaching out to students to test the app and provide feedback, and we’ll also be asking faculty and staff to help us input engagement experiences into the app.

Project Goals

1. Create an integrated, streamlined hub for student engagement that:
   • • Connects students with meaningful opportunities and resources;
     • Enables students to record and track experiences as they relate to personal growth, professional readiness, and/or community impact;
     • Helps students to reflect on their experiences; and
     • Allows students and faculty members to connect, promote opportunities, and share experiences.
2. Inspire, motivate, and support students in their journeys of personal transformation through experiences that:
   • • Help students step out of their comfort zones, gain broader perspectives, and question their beliefs;
     • Help prepare students in their professional pursuits; and
     • Help students impact the world.
3. Optimize and improve engagement experiences across the Commonwealth by:
   • • Promoting access to engagement experiences for all Penn State students, regardless of a student’s geographic location, enrollment status (i.e., full- or part-time), life/work commitments, or financial situation; and
     • Incorporating and implementing successful pathways, procedures, and resources for faculty, staff, and community partners to connect with students and each other through engaged learning

Project Timeline

• Introduce the Agile App – Spring 2021
  • Test app with small group of student users
• Introduce the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) – Fall 2021
  • Test app with larger group of student users
• Launch the Engagement App (Iteration 1) – Winter 2022
  • Solicit feedback from larger group of student users
• Launch the Engagement App (Iteration 2) – Fall 2022
  • Introduce app to entire Penn State community

How You Can Help

We are asking Penn State faculty, staff, and student groups to help us populate the Engagement App with a wealth of engagement experiences, events, and activities available to students across Penn State.