This fall, Syracuse University launched the ’Cuse Challenge mobile app. To learn more about the app, and how it came to Syracuse, we asked Adam Peruta, the app developer four questions. In addition to developing the app, Peruta is an assistant professor of magazine in the Newhouse School.
Adam Peruta
Tell us about the ’Cuse Challenge mobile app.
It’s a mobile experience for students that encourages (and rewards) them for participating in campus activities and traditions throughout their time at Syracuse University. From moving into the residence halls to volunteering and community service to Orange After Dark and the big games, it serves as a bucket list of things to do before graduation.
All students need to do is download the app, view the list of challenges and follow the directions to complete them, which usually involves going to a specific event/activity/tradition and uploading a photo. There is also a social media feed and leaderboard so you can see who is winning the competition.
Where did you get the idea for the app?
Some campuses have traditions programs that allow students to keep a record of their time and their memories as a student. But very few of them are digital. With the popularity of social media on college campuses, having a smartphone app as part of the student experience seemed like a good idea. The app was launched at another campus two years ago as a pilot program, but I’m excited that we’ve been able to make it available at SU this year. We worked with a lot of current SU students to make it happen and make it their own.
What are you most excited for in bringing it to Syracuse University?
The prizes. Definitely the prizes. Pop sockets and badges and shirts and so much more! This year’s grand prize for the top five challenge completers, as picked by students, will be a private tour of the Dome with Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala.
How can students get involved with the ‘Cuse Challenge?
The app is available on the App Store and Google Play. They can download the app, login and start completing challenges. There is also a calendar of events that is a curated list of some of the best and most popular things to do on campus. If anyone has an idea for a new challenge that should be in the app, they can submit it through the app as well. And I would encourage student organization leaders to submit events for the calendar.
