This semester, USI has introduced two apps to enhance engagement and keep the campus community in the loop about events: Engage USI and Archie’s Army Rewards. Boast apps boast a user-friendly interface and a range of features that make them essential tools for anyone looking to dive deeper into campus life.
As a successor to EagleSync, which was retired at the end of Spring 2024, Engage USI offers a more intuitive platform for discovering campus happenings. From game nights to student organization meetings, this app serves as a central hub for extracurriculars.
“We received lots of feedback from students and student organizations that they just really didn’t like EagleSync,” said Jenny Garrison, director of the Center for Campus Life. “So far we’ve gotten a lot of good feedback with Engage. Students seem to like not having to bring their ID and just being able to use the QR Code.”
Garrison said she’d like to possibly add a feature to Engage USI called “Badges,” which can be earned by attending certain events.
Accessible through the MyUSI portal under “Screaming Eagles Apps,” clicking the Engage USI link will take you to its site. There, you can learn about events, look into student organizations, read news from different organizations and fill out forms, such as travel requests and participation waivers.
The app’s side panel organizes everything into easily navigable tabs, with the events tab likely being the most popular. Here, you can look into upcoming events and RSVP ahead of time. One standout feature allows you to filter events based on your interests — if you prefer craft nights over business events, you can tailor your view accordingly. Engage USI is regularly updated by different organizations, ensuring fresh content nearly every day.
On the sports side, Archie’s Army Rewards has made waves as an app dedicated to enhancing the USI Athletics fan experience. Available for download from the app store, it’s packed with information about upcoming sporting events.
Archie’s Army Rewards allows users to set reminders for games and share photos from the stands, but perhaps the most exciting feature is the points system. Students can attend games to earn 200 points, with bonuses for early arrivals and photo submissions. You can even earn 3 points just by logging into the app daily! These points can be redeemed for prizes ranging from a magnet for 800 points to an Archie’s Army sweatshirt for 4,000 points.
Cameron Caldwell-Connor, director of marketing and fan engagement, outlined four initial goals for the app:
- Achieve 1,000 downloads (currently has 1,100!)
- Increase attendance at games
- Increase student attendance and engagement for athletics
- Promote events around athletics
Caldwell-Connor said he plans to integrate game-day promotions within the app, including activities showcased on the jumbotron during home volleyball and basketball games.
Whether you’re looking to attend events, cheer on the Screaming Eagles or simply find out what’s happening around you, Engage USI and Archie’s Army Rewards offer lots of exciting opportunities to get involved on campus. If you’re eager to connect with fellow students and enjoy all that USI has to offer, these apps are definitely worth checking out.