How American University Boosted Engagement with a Campus Event App

Effective campus communication is essential for keeping students, staff, and guests informed and engaged. American University (AU) achieved this by adopting Guidebook’s campus event app, replacing paper schedules with mobile-friendly resources. The shift allowed AU to streamline event communication, improve attendance, and create a more personalized experience for its community. 

With more than a dozen departments using the app for events, tours, and student support, AU has seen notable gains in engagement and efficiency. Explore how AU’s approach to mobile-first communication transformed campus life — and how your university can achieve similar results.

Let’s explore how this solution took shape and delivered results.

The Challenge: Streamlining Communication Across Campus

American University, a student-centered research institution in Washington, D.C., is renowned for its commitment to personalized teaching, social justice, and experiential education. The university needed an effective way to disseminate information to students, staff, and guests across a diverse range of events and activities.

Their key challenges included:

• Delivering information efficiently to large, diverse groups.
• Reducing reliance on printed materials for events like Freshman Day and graduation.
• Offering personalized resources tailored to the needs of specific user groups.
• Empowering multiple departments to adopt a unified solution for their communication needs.

The Solution: Build a Campus Event App With Guidebook

To address these challenges, AU turned to Guidebook, a mobile app platform, in 2015. By adopting Guidebook, they empowered their campus with easy-to-access, focused mobile resources. Today, more than a dozen departments utilize Guidebook apps for events, mobile tours, and more.

“The range of apps has helped us empower users with the information they need more than any other tool could have.” — Cole Wrampelmeier, Web and Student Systems Manager for the Office of Campus Life

Key Features in American University’s Event App

1. Customizable Schedules
   AU’s app provides event-specific schedules, making it easy for users to navigate activities like Preview Days and Freshman Day. These schedules save time and reduce confusion, offering students and families details like locations, times, and even nearby dining options.
2. Interactive Maps
   Guidebook’s mobile campus tours feature ensures students and guests can easily find their way around campus. For example, the Sustainability Office created an audio tour highlighting eco-friendly initiatives, turning wayfinding into an engaging educational experience.
3. Tailored Experiences
   AU’s app offers personalized experiences based on user profiles. By selecting a category such as Veteran, MBA/Grad Student, or Undergrad, users are directed to resources tailored to their needs, such as the Veteran Lounge or graduate-specific library spaces.
4. Evergreen Apps for Everyday Use
   In addition to event-specific apps, AU built year-round resources like a library app for locating resources and a dining/housing app for student staff training. These evergreen tools enhance campus life for students and staff alike.

Results: Personalized Experiences and Enhanced Engagement

• Increased Engagement: Students and staff are more engaged with event schedules and campus resources.
• Improved Attendance: The app makes it easier for students to get excited about events, boosting turnout.
• Sustainability Gains: Replacing printed materials with a mobile app significantly reduced waste.
• Cost-Effective Adoption: By bundling licenses for multiple departments, AU kept costs manageable while promoting campus-wide adoption.

→ Download the Full American University Case Study Here

Why American University Chose Guidebook for Their Campus Event App

AU selected Guidebook for its:

• Ease of Use: Non-technical staff can build and update apps without IT involvement.
• Customizability:Departments across campus use Guidebook for unique needs, from tours to job fairs.
• Scalability: Bundling licenses ensured cost efficiency while supporting widespread adoption.
• Focused Features: Tools like in-app schedules and tailored content simplified communication and enhanced user experience.

“The app lets us deliver the most pertinent info to users. Instead of digging through a bunch of information, we bring what they want to know directly to them.” — Cole Wrampelmeier

How to Create a Custom University Event App for Your Organization

When deciding on an event app, consider these factors:

• Flexibility: Choose a platform that serves a variety of event types and campus needs.
• Ease of Implementation: Look for a tool that non-technical staff can use with minimal support.
• Personalization: Ensure the app can offer tailored experiences for different user groups.
• Cost Efficiency: Opt for solutions that scale across departments to maximize your investment.

Ready to transform campus communication? Speak to our sales team today and explore how Guidebook can help your institution.