University of Oklahoma – OU Bound App
Kentech-U partnered with the University of Oklahoma to create a mobile experience that guides incoming freshmen through enrollment, campus life, and key first-year activities.
The Client
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a top-tier public university serving approximately 17,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students.
The Goal
OU wanted an innovative, simplified experience for incoming freshmen to manage events, deadlines, and tasks from admission to the first day of class. Kentech-U’s mission was to design and develop custom iOS and Android applications that digitize essential enrollment processes and provide real-time campus information, including:
• Parking availability across campus
• Live shuttle bus tracking
• Digital ticketing for the SafeRide program
• Notifications for key deadlines and events
The goal was to ease the transition into college while connecting students to campus life and resources.
Plan & Process
Kentech-U worked closely with OU staff throughout the project lifecycle:
• Conducted stakeholder interviews to gather requirements and define objectives
• Developed wireframes and conducted brand briefings to ensure visual and functional alignment with OU’s identity
• Designed a user-friendly, ADA-compliant interface reflecting the University’s style and heritage
• Built the mobile app using the Ionic Framework on Cordova, enabling iOS, Android, and web deployment
• Incorporated real-world student feedback and market research to prioritize features and ensure usability
The app focused on creating a seamless onboarding experience for incoming students while providing essential campus services at their fingertips.
Results
The OU Bound app successfully transformed the freshman experience at the University of Oklahoma:
• Streamlined enrollment and campus navigation for incoming students
• Improved engagement with campus activities and resources
• Contributed to a record annual student retention rate of 90.4%
• Acts as a direct line of communication between students and the university, enhancing the overall college experience
OU Bound continues to serve as a benchmark for using technology to support student success and campus connectivity.
