In partnership with Ready Education, Arkansas’ second-largest university rolls out new platform to help students navigate campus life

JONESBORO, AR – April 9, 2018 – Arkansas State University today announced the launch of a new mobile app designed to foster better communication and help students engage on campus. Built in partnership with Ready Education, which works with colleges and universities worldwide to improve student engagement, retention, and success, the comprehensive app will include message boards, event tracking tools, calendars, and other resources, all accessible through a single sign-on.

“The new generation of students arriving on campus grew up with mobile phones, so email is becoming less and less effective as a communication tool. We’ve been in search of a platform that can help us get students the information they need, when they need it,” said Rick Stripling, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Arkansas State University. “The team at Ready Education combines technological expertise with a deep understanding of the campus experience, making them a critical partner as we develop an app that meets the needs of the A-State community.”

Research suggests that nearly 100 percent of college-age Americans own smartphones, and individuals age 18-29 are the most likely to depend on their mobile devices as the primary tool for internet access and communication. To meet the needs of an increasingly digital generation, Ready Education has partnered with more than 200 colleges and universities around the world to develop campus mobile apps that help demystify the college experience for students and support retention. According to an initial pilot study, conducted at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, first-year students who used the campus app were 17% more likely to return after the first semester than those who did not.

“Mobile communication is a necessity for colleges and universities hoping to connect with today’s student population -- and it is also a critical driver of persistence and retention,” said Danial Jameel, Co-Founder and CEO of Ready Education, who began his career in student affairs at the University of Toronto. “We are excited to support the efforts of the Arkansas State team to support and promote student success.”

Ready Education uses native mobile technology including customizable alerts, real-time feedback tools, and GPS navigation to streamline the campus experience for college students. Available for free to students through the Apple App and Google Play stores, the campus app integrates directly with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Student Information Systems (SIS), providing a single platform for students to access information about courses, events, and other resources. Faculty and staff can use the platform to access rich analytics and data dashboards that help them process real-time feedback and improve the student experience.