Connecting with Students

Student-to-Staff Support App on its Way

A new opportunity for students to connect with UCSB staff is in development thanks to Kristen Burnett, Associate Director and R&CL Assistant Dean of Students.

She had the idea of creating an app that will help students get quick support and serve as a possible alternative to Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). Students will be able to see in real-time a friendly face who is available and where. That friendly face can be you!

“What I am really trying to do is provide more choices for students – I think options are important [and] I want to maximize all staff. We have amazing folks on campus, some of whom serve in roles/positions that are not directly related to student advising/counseling, but have the skill set to be wonderful points of connection."

The goal is for staff to be equipped to help students with anything from interpersonal stressors to academic advising, “even if the best solution is referring the student directly to the campus resource that best suits their needs,” added Burnett. Edwin Feliciano, Director of Behavioral Health, will be taking the lead on staff training.

Students will log on to the mobile app, officially named UCSB Check-in, and see a map of UCSB with staff members displayed as “available” with a green pin. When a student selects the green pin they will see a short profile and photo of the staff member, which will allow students to learn more about the staff member(s) who are available to help them. Staff profiles also include specific information, which will allow students to select someone who may share interests or identities with them, if desired. Students can also see the staff (and their respective profiles) who are not actively available and can connect with them at another time through the app. Students have the ability to book an appointment immediately through the app. 

“From where I sit, we have an opportunity to maximize options for students,” Burnett said. “I was trying to think, how can we create an environment where students can walk comfortably into any (available) non-clinical space and get help?”

This is an opportunity for a non-clinical staff member to have an informal conversation that could result in an appropriate referral, outcome or plan. Burnett hopes that Check-In comforts students, allowing them to visualize the support that is around them – knowing that staff are here and available to them. Burnett is also hopeful that students will refer friends to Check-In. 

It is important to note that Check-In is not a clinical resource, although staff will be trained on how to navigate high-level incidents and transfer these matters to the clinical realm, if necessary. The goal  is to provide a number of UCSB staff to be available real-time to help with a variety of student issues, Burnett said. “Really, it’s about someone in distress being able to talk to someone on campus immediately.”

The concept came to Burnett in May 2018 and right away she reached out to former UCSB lead staff, Julio Maldonado, to see if he felt this could be an appealing technical option for students. The Check-In team has evolved to include Ben Price, Gary Scott, Meghan Carlson and an external developer. A student focus group was also consulted to help navigate creation.

“Many staff are comfortable sitting with students, listening and helping them work through matters and come up with a plan to alleviate their stress,” Burnett said. “Frequently students turn to their RDs, or another trusted staff member, looking for someone to help them process. We want to maximize the locations where students can find a helpful staff member.”

If you’re interested in more information or in joining the Check-In staff app, please reach out to Burnett. Roll-out of the app is expected in the 2021-22 academic year.

“I am always trying to think outside the box about how we can best support students. I’m looking for staff across campus who can carve out about eight hours a week of their time with permission of their supervisor,” Burnett said. “If Check-In resonates with students and they use it, I believe it could be a healthy and helpful alternative resource.”

A few screenshots of what students will see...