Stunited, a new app created by Rowan University senior finance student John Rondi, helps students across campuses to connect and help each other with school work.
Rondi came up with the idea one late night his sophomore year when he had to write a paper. “It was like 2:00 a.m. It was too late to contact my professor, I couldn’t call a tutor, I didn’t really want to pay for online help, so I reached out to my friend who lived across the hall who was up with her math assignment,” he said.
As Rondi went on to help his friend with a math assignment, his friend helped him with a paper. “At that moment, a lightbulb went off.”
Rondi went on to research if such an app existed, but was unable to find the kind he was looking for. He went on to try and make his idea into reality.
“Pretty much, I started an app called Stunited and essentially all it is, is a platform for students to match basically based on what they’re good at in school and what they need help in,” Rondi said. “So think kind of like a dating app for education.”
A student would download the app on their mobile device and then they would create their account based on strengths and weaknesses. From there, students can match with other students based on these strengths and weaknesses.
Once matched, students would then be able to have private conversations to discuss what they can do to help each other.
According to the Stunited website, the app is easy to download and operate.
“With just a few swipes and clicks, you’ll quickly establish a network of connections with other students on your same campus and across the nation,” reads the website. “It’s a no-brainer way to get the assistance you need while avoiding paying expensive tutors. Show off your skills and use your own unique talents and abilities to get the services you need with our free, easy-to-use mobile app and stand Stunited!”
“To me, it appears that the Stunited app is an innovative approach to students helping students learn subjects where extra guidance and mentoring might be needed, all while providing students the opportunity to meet other members of the campus community that they may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise,” said Mary Harris, a specialist professor of communication.
With over 5,000 downloads since its launch in August of 2017, the app has every college and university in the United States available for students. The app has student users from as far as New Zealand in the app because of popularity.
Glen DeNigris, a junior communication student though the app is a good idea for a college student. “To basically have a tutoring service at the palm of your hand is a game changer for college students in the 21st century. If you need help in a subject, you can find someone that can help at any time of day.”
Today, Rondi is working on improvements for the app while also connecting with people on social media.
“I am actively learning and progressing,” explained Rondi. “I don’t have an off switch when it comes to working on the app. It’s fun for me, I balance it pretty well with school. I just am figuring out what I want to do next.”
“Obviously I want it to be in the hands of every college kid in America,” Rondi continued.
Rondi explained that the app could expand to cover other aspects beyond help for college students, including branching out to high schoolers.
In regards to the college kids already using the app, Rondi said, “It’s what kids are already doing, we are just trying to making it simpler.”
