In conjunction with the office of admissions, Freed-Hardeman University computer science majors have produced FHUBound, a new app for iOS and Android designed to excite and engage future FHU students and their families. It is tentatively set to release Fall 2021.
The app helps future students explore the academic and campus experience. Organized in informational nuggets, it provides an attractive and engaging way to help prospective students imagine themselves at FHU. Specifically, it includes dorm tours, a searchable list of academic majors, videos of campus buildings and campus tips from current students. Users are able to contact admissions or schedule a campus visit with just a tap. A gamification component allows users to collect BoundBucks by interacting with the app and then redeeming them for FHU merchandise.
Through the app, prospective students can register for campus events such as Maroon & Gold Days and RUSH, as well as apply for admission. It also features a personalized countdown to Welcome Home, the day new students arrive on campus. Prospective students can also take a quiz to help them determine a best-fit major. In addition, the app links to social media associated with FHU and FHUBound.
Computer Science students have worked incrementally to create the app over the past three years. Altogether, the app represents the work of dozens of computer science and interactive digital design students who have contributed their design and development talents to shape the final app.
Dr. Kenan Casey, associate professor of computer science, has served as the product owner and Robbie Nichols, instructor in computer science, has been the Scrum Master. Nichols helped implement the Scrum framework, an interactive and incremental way to plan and develop software as a team. “Students not only developed their technical skills but also received professional preparation by following this industry-standard agile framework,” Casey said.
Five students comprised the team of developers. All of them secured jobs in their field prior to graduation. They are Ethan Wilkins, now at Dynetics in Huntsville, Alabama; Lexi Hudgins, also at Dynetics; Jack Cannon, at Clear Function, Memphis, Tennessee; Trenton Black, at ATA Technologies, Jackson, Tennessee; and Shane Spicer, at Novetta Advanced Analytics, Southern Pines, North Carolina.
“Our students are amazing, and they impress me each year with their talents, their creativity and their hearts,” Casey said.