Growing a Culture of Engagement

Challenge

Originally founded as an agricultural school, the University of Rhode Island (URI) is now a major research institution that serves a diverse population of in-state, out-of-state, and international learners. Recently, URI realized it was leaving student involvement efforts fragmented and siloed across campus. With no dedicated owner for its engagement platform, processes like event submissions were inefficient and sometimes confusing for both staff and students. URI needed a clearer, more centralized approach to managing involvement and creating a cohesive student experience.

Solution

URI re-launched Engage — branded as URInvolved — under dedicated leadership, focusing first on empowering student organizations with ownership of their own pages and activities. Early partnerships with key campus units, including New Student Transitions and Multicultural Student Services, helped introduce the platform to new students and drive early adoption. By gradually expanding use across campus and encouraging experimentation, URInvolved became a trusted hub for events, organizations, and engagement.