The University of Detroit Mercy has introduced Raftr, a comprehensive mobile platform designed to centralize student communication, campus events and organizational involvement in one digital space. The app, which launched this academic year, represents UDM’s commitment to modernizing how students connect with campus life in an increasingly digital world.
Raftr functions as an all-in-one hub where students can browse upcoming events, join campus organizations, receive important announcements and engage with the broader UDM community.
According to Stephanie Wheeler, who helped implement the platform, “Raftr allows students to access everything they need in one place—event calendars, club information, campus news, and direct communication channels—eliminating the fragmentation that came with juggling multiple apps and email threads.”
The decision to adopt Raftr came after university administrators recognized that traditional communication methods were failing to reach students effectively. Debbie Stieffel, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, explained that the app caught UDM’s attention through conversations with peer institutions. ”
We kept hearing from other universities about how Raftr was transforming their student engagement metrics,” Stieffel said. “When we looked at our own communication challenges—low email open rates, missed events, students saying they didn’t know what was happening on campus—we knew we needed a solution that met students where they already are: on their phones.”
UDM’s main objectives in partnering with Raftr centered on breaking down communication barriers and fostering a more connected campus community.
“Our goal was simple: make it effortless for students to stay informed and get involved,” Stieffel noted. “We wanted to eliminate the excuse of ‘I didn’t know about that’ and create pathways for every student to find their place at UDM.”
The implementation process involved collaboration across multiple departments. Wheeler’s team worked to migrate existing communication channels onto the platform, train student organization leaders on the new system, and conduct outreach campaigns encouraging downloads.
“We held information sessions, created tutorial videos, and had ambassadors in residence halls helping students set up their accounts during the first weeks of the semester,” Wheeler said.
For students like Bree Stine, the change has been noticeable. Before Raftr, Stine relied on checking physical bulletin boards in Shiple Hall to learn about campus happenings—an inefficient system that often resulted in missed opportunities.
“It has made involvement easier because I can just go on the app and see what’s going on,” Stine explained.
She finds the Events tab particularly valuable for staying current with campus activities, though she noted the post feature sees less personal use.
Looking ahead, Stieffel envisions Raftr becoming integral to UDM’s campus culture.
“Long-term, we hope this creates a more vibrant, inclusive community where students feel genuinely connected to their university experience, not just as individuals attending classes, but as active participants in something larger,” she said.
As UDM continues adapting to evolving student needs, Raftr represents a significant investment in ensuring that campus life remains accessible, engaging, and community-focused in the digital age.