The Husky Experience Toolkit

Posted on February 25, 2016April 23, 2019

To help students access and understand critical transition information, campus partners came together to reach students where they鈥檙e already looking 鈥� online at MyUW

Girl sitting and texting — *Students can engage with the Husky Experience Toolkit on their mobile phones or on the computer.*

Before they can take advantage of the many resources and opportunities that can help shape their Husky Experience, students have to know when, where and what those opportunities can be. But with a university this big, students have long reported that they struggle to process all the available information; then, when they realize they need something specific, they don鈥檛 know where to look.

Providing custom, just-in-time communication

In 2015, the (formally #ThriveUW) launched as a pilot program on the Seattle campus to deliver information crafted specifically for first-year students in a timely, direct way through the My 91探花homepage and mobile app. First-year students receive weekly messages specially crafted by faculty, advisers and experienced students aimed at helping them become aware of the many resources and opportunities at the University while presenting strategies to help them make the most of the information. The Husky Experience Toolkit program expands the ability to reach these first-year students, bringing them closer to the campus programs that can help them have a truly transformative educational experience.

鈥淲hile the Husky Experience is different for every student 鈥� each of them chooses a unique set of academic and out-of-class experiences that contribute to their learning 鈥� we know that making sure they are knowledgeable about opportunities is an important first step,鈥� explains Michaelann Jundt, associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. 鈥淸The Husky Experience Toolkit] is a way to make sure that all first-year students receive the same message about the wealth of resources and activities available to them.鈥�

*The Husky Experience Toolkit has increased the capacity for campus communications to reach first years without relying solely on mass emails or students鈥� initiative to sign up for messages.*

During fall 2015, message content covers a wide range of topics, among them:聽tips and tools for stress management and wellness, directing students to聽advising resources to work on an academic plan or the Career Center for a career聽preparation strategy, and why getting involved outside the classroom through聽student organizations and campus events is important to their development.

For instance, the Husky Experience Toolkit messaging about library resources reads: 鈥淣eed聽help with research? Librarians are experts at finding answers and navigating and聽evaluating information resources.鈥� It presents a 鈥淭ry This鈥� suggestion, with simple actions and steps to encourage students to make their first connections with 91探花Libraries, and then includes helpful links for quick access to additional resources.

Strategic partnering with live campus events can boost participation

The timing of events such as Dawg Daze and others by partner units like the Career Center and Housing & Food Services reinforced the information new students were receiving through the Husky Experience Toolkit. For example, Odegaard Library held a 鈥済et to know your library鈥� event following their related the Husky Experience Toolkit messaging. 鈥淲e were able to connect with undergraduate students in a fun, informal way and inform them about Library services and resources,鈥� explained Amanda Hornby, teaching and learning program librarian at Odegaard Undergraduate Library. 鈥淸The Husky Experience Toolkit] also enables us to highlight the resources and people most relevant to new 91探花students and by so doing help to demystify a complex and large library system.鈥�

By the end of the first phase, the 91探花Libraries are one partner that has seen
positive results. Programs such as Residential Life, Peer Advisers and others are integrating the Husky Experience Toolkit as a resource for anyone working with first years. UW-IT continues to gather data and assess the efficacy of the program, but early results point towards success 鈥� student polls show that first years have an increased knowledge of campus resources and opportunities compared to previous years. Through the creative collaboration of campus partners, the Husky Experience Toolkit is getting results and benefiting students.

Article originally titled, 鈥�#ThriveUW,鈥� content updated July 19, 2018.

During Advising & Orientation (A&O), first-year students and their parents receive a copy of the Husky Guide 鈥� a comprehensive booklet that functions as an extended reference guide during A&O as well as throughout their first year at the University.

The 50-75 page guide supports first-year students through their transition to life at the UW. Information ranges from resources about choosing classes and finding a major to transportation, housing and student health and wellness. The guide also highlights campus resources and services such as the Career Center, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, Study Abroad, Hall Health, University Libraries and many others.

The Husky Guide was introduced in 2015 to replace the 300+ page planner previously given to first years in an effort to be sustainable and in recognition of the increasing use of online calendars. For parents of international students in China, the Husky Guide is distributed online in Chinese as an additional resource.

At Seattle

The (CTC), formerly
called the Commuter Commons, assist students who have transferred to the 91探花and live outside the U-District to create a sense of identity and community. The recent name change is inclusive of all students who use the space. Located at HUB 141, the CTC hosts programming such as CLUE tutoring and community development events. Services available to assist commuters include day-use lockers, kitchenette, printing, and a private changing room. Currently about 23,200 undergraduates commute to the Seattle campus from near and far. Each year over 1,800 transfer students are admitted to the UW, many of whom are also commuter students.