NOVA Engage App to Help Students New to NOVA

February 8, 2021 / Faculty/Staff Highlights

Jack Bidlack, IET director of strategic initiatives, received a $10,000 NOVA Foundation InNOVAtion grant, along with a $20,000 match from Ready Education, to create a new app to assist students in getting their footing in a new college environment. The NOVA Engage App will bring important resources to students through their smart devices. The conversations and real-time student engagement will help build a community that is truly One NOVA. While the app is targeted toward students (they must have a VCCS email address), faculty and staff will also enjoy the extra connectivity with students as well.

“I worked with Ready Education primarily, but did connect with a number of individuals and offices as requested when we initially started the app buildout to make them aware and get feedback,” Bidlack said. “We felt it was better to come back and have more conversations once we had something more tangible to look at and discuss, which is why we are now reaching out to NOVA offices.”

The NOVA Engage App brings the College to your fingertips and enables you to connect with the NOVA community. Stay on top of your events, classes and assignments with the built in calendar function, and get notified of important dates, deadlines and security announcements. Make friends, ask questions and access campus resources at any time!

Other exciting features include:
• DEADLINES: Stay on top of multiple deadlines with push-notifications to receive reminders, alerts and critical notifications.
• CLASSES: Manage classes by creating to-dos and reminders to stay on top of assignments.
• EVENTS: Discover campus events, set reminders and track your attendance.
• FEATURED ACTIVITIES: Orientation, Homecoming, etc.
• CAMPUS COMMUNITY: Meet friends, ask questions and keep up with what’s happening on the campus wall.
• GROUPS & CLUBS: Get involved with campus organizations and meet people with similar interests.
• CAMPUS SERVICES: Learn about services offered such as Academic Advising, Financial Aid & Counseling.
• PUSH NOTIFICATIONS: Receive important campus notifications and emergency alerts.
• CAMPUS MAP: Find the quickest route to classes, events and offices.

The NOVA Engage App is available NOW in both the Apple Store and Google Play.

You must use your email.vccs.edu address to create your account and to be part of the NOVA community. Single Sign-On (SSO) is not currently available, but even MyNOVA can be accessed with one simple tap and login.

We look forward to seeing you, in the NOVA community.