This presentation outlines the design, development, and implementation of myATU, a new in‑house student app developed by Atlantic Technological University between October 2025 and June 2026. Originating as an NTUTORR‑supported prototype and proof of concept, and later funded through TSAF, the project aimed to redesign how students access information through a single, coherent mobile platform. The purpose of this session is to share the practical lessons learned from developing a student‑centred digital platform, highlighting how collaboration, process alignment, and user‑focused design can enhance student support and communication.
The presentation will walk through the full project lifecycle of the myATU student app, from initial problem identification to student rollout and evaluation. Key areas covered will include:
-Student pain points in accessing information, including platform overload, inconsistent messaging, and lack of mobile‑friendly services
-Understanding students as digital natives, and the implications this has for communication design, expectations, and engagement
-Collaborative partnership working with Student Affairs and other student‑facing functions to identify essential content and services
-Consolidating data within a Microsoft‑connected ecosystem, enabling real‑time, personalised, and secure access to student information
-Designing a unified student app in a fragmented systems landscape, with three separate Banner instances and limited integration
-Student feedback, uptake, and early outcomes including insights gained from user testing phases
This presentation aligns most strongly with Stream 1: Professional Practice in Student Support and Engagement, particularly the subtheme of Communication. It demonstrates how Student Affairs professionals can use digital tools to improve access to information, proactively support students, and reduce administrative and cognitive burden.
Key conclusions and lessons learned from the myATU project include:
-Moving from legacy systems to a consolidated student interface requires not just technical solutions, but extensive relationship‑building and shared understanding across services
-Process standardisation is a necessary starting point for meaningful digital alignment and consistent student experiences
-Achieving digital equity in a multi‑campus environment presents challenges related to infrastructure, local practices, and differing student needs
-In‑house development can empower institutions to respond more quickly to student feedback and emerging needs
File Type:
pptx
File Size:
79 MB
Categories:
SAI Summer Seminar 2026