Project UNite
A campus app that connects CSUEB students to housing, events, jobs, and each other.
Focus: Social Connectivity & Student Life
Video Trailer
Project UNite — Thesis Trailer
Video coming soon — add a YouTube or Vimeo embed URL tovideo_url in the thesis markdown file.
Abstract
UNite is a mobile application designed to strengthen social capacity and resource awareness among Cal State East Bay students. The platform aggregates housing listings, on-campus event discovery, student job postings, and a community forum into a single authenticated campus space. A structured onboarding flow helps new students identify their needs and connects them with relevant resources within their first week.
Design Challenge
CSUEB serves a high proportion of first-generation college students, commuters, and working adults—populations for which the informal social networks that ease campus integration are less accessible. UNite asks: what if the infrastructure for student connection was designed intentionally, rather than left to chance? The app addresses documented gaps in housing discovery, employment opportunity visibility, and social belonging that affect persistence and graduation rates.
Technical Approach
Built with React Native for iOS and Android. Authentication uses CSUEB NetID SSO via SAML2. The event and jobs feed is seeded by verified campus organizations and moderated by student administrators. A recommendation algorithm surfaces content based on major, class year, and stated interests. Housing listings are peer-verified with a community reputation system.
Outcomes
A prototype was piloted with 45 CSUEB students across 6 weeks. 78% discovered at least one resource (housing, job, or event) they had not previously known about. 62% made at least one new campus connection through the app. The project was selected for presentation at the CSUEB Research Competition 2023.
Process Documentation
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