Deep Dive in Five: The New, Upgraded Sammy App is Here

Students participating in Commuter Week Appreciation activities in March 2025. 

The new and improved Sammy App has just launched at San José State. As a go-to hub for events, community and connection, the app is the latest evolution of SJSU’s student engagement platform. 

We connected with Amy Prause, associate director of Student Involvement, to better understand what students can expect and how the new features will enhance campus connection. 

What inspired the decision to launch a new version of the Sammy App? 

Amy Prause (AP): In fall 2024, we were informed that the company that owns the Sammy App, Ready Education,  would no longer be supporting the Campus App software. Additionally, with the increase in state assembly bills requiring compliance tracking of recognized student organizations and fraternity and sorority life, we were seeking a platform that could better support compliance tracking for student groups and student leaders. 

What are the most exciting new features of the app? 

AP: As a professional staff member who works with recognized student organizations, the most exciting new feature for us is the platform’s ability to manage and organize RSO annual re-registration. The old Sammy platform did not have these capabilities, resulting in CSU and state compliance gaps. 

For students using the upgraded Sammy App, the most exciting new feature is the customization the platform allows student organizations to create and build their own group pages and webpages, which allows the student body to view and locate accurate information about connecting with and joining student organizations. Additionally, students can now track their extracurricular activities and experiences through the co-curricular transcript feature, resulting in a resume of skills, experiences and abilities that can accompany a professional resume. 

How will this new app make it easier for students to connect, attend events and be engaged in the campus community?

AP: This upgraded app is more user-friendly in the sense that there are features that allow users to keep up with their schedule of events they’d like to attend. Users can also connect directly with faculty, staff members and other students. Additionally, unlike the old platform, the new platform updates user data every 24 hours, so information in the platform is always accurate and up-to-date.  

Once students download the app, what should they do first? 

AP: The first thing students should do after downloading, or updating their old app, is ensure they

Screenshot of Sammy App.

can login via SSO Okta Single-Sign On. Once they are logged in, they should personalize their user account by adding a profile picture, selecting their interests and joining various recognized student organizations. Next, they should  check out the upcoming events list to see what’s happening on campus and which events they  might want to attend. They can also RSVP and check in directly through the app. Next, check out the feed, where students can post, comment and connect with each other around common interests and topics. This new app has the ability to send push notifications as well, so ensuring notifications are turned on is also a great suggestion, so students can be notified about cool things happening across campus. 

What can we look forward to after the launch? Any upcoming updates, features or partnerships on the horizon? 

AP: Post-launch, we have continued to troubleshoot integration issues with user data, as expected when launching a new technology platform. We also are looking forward to using the platform to create more connections with SJSU alumni, as this platform has an alumni engagement piece as well. 

Go here to learn more and download the new Sammy App.