Software package goes beyond efficient functions to key tool for student success

Navigate, software that assists students with making appointments on campus, goes beyond that functionality and has become a key tool for student success and retention.

Available now to students and faculty members, Navigate will continue to be implemented throughout campus offices next year. Matt Musser, student success software specialist, called it a one-stop-shop for students to be able to access services.

"It has the ability to pull in all advising offices for a student to make an appointment while looking at one screen," Musser said.

For academic advisors and faculty members, Navigate syncs with the Outlook calendar function and allows users to view student information on one platform. Suzeanne Benet, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, said this efficient access allows for better student support.

Benet said Navigate makes it possible for affinity groups, academic advisors and others to locate information about a student within the platform.

"No one has to play detective to find out who else is involved with the student to figure out how to best get them help," Benet said. "The information is all there. The more we know about how a student is doing in real time, the better we can support them."

Shannon Zakalik, advisor for the Seidman College of Business, said Navigate will improve the experience between an advisor and a student. Like other academic advising centers, all Seidman advisors use the software.

"Early in the semester we offered virtual drop-in advising, which would not have been possible without Navigate," she said.

More information and FAQs about Navigate are online. Musser is available for individual or unit trainings on the software and to answer specific questions.