A full-function mobile app for the UI

Project Lead: Sarah Hansen

Funding Approved: Fiscal Year 24
Project Status: In Progress  
Funded amount: $1,696,875 over three years

This initiative aims to boost student engagement and success by providing a digital gateway to the University of Iowa. Creating a mobile application for UI students will expand student access to critical information, resources, programs, and services. Collaborators on the project—including the Division of Student Life, the Office of the Provost, the Office of Strategic Communication, Information Technology Services, Undergraduate Student Government, and Graduate and Professional Student Government—will work together to provide a simple, easy-to-use app that focuses on a strong user experience, establishes deep integration into existing systems, and communicates timely messages that will support student success. 

Activities to date:

• Evaluated app-building solutions and awarded the contract to a vendor, Modo Labs, to build the first iteration of the application.
• Established processes to build and maintain the app. 
  • Hired a product manager to coordinate the development and ensure the long-term success and relevancy of the app. 
  • Convened work groups for in-app features and messaging.
• Gathered input from stakeholders on the initial design of the app, including focus groups with current students. 
• Created the communication plan and initial product roadmap, and outlined the in-app messaging plan.
• Launched the first iteration of the app for students before the fall 2024 semester. 
  • Worked with stakeholders in Orientation and On Iowa to promote the app to incoming students and include schedules and messaging for those events in the app.
  • Added a “Submit an Idea” link in the footer to invite ongoing user feedback directly within the app.
• Drafted a survey to gather feedback from campus partners represented in the app.

Next Steps:

In year two, the team will implement a continuous feedback structure to enhance the user experience, improve the application based on user analytics and feedback, and train admin-level users. In year three, the team will assess and improve the advisory board and governance structure, plan additional features for users beyond students, and maintain a regular release schedule based on university events. By the end of the project, the goal is to have a fully functional app that benefits all members of the campus community.