SMU:Serve

Inspiration

During our time at SMU, we found the process of managing CSP hours to be frustrating and inefficient. The existing system, OnTrac, lacks user-friendliness, making it difficult to navigate .There is no clear guide on how to sign up for a CSP and no clear indication of how many hours we have accumulated so far.

What it does

We built a user-friendly app where all available events are front and center, allowing users to effortlessly browse and sign up or propose new projects. Administrators can efficiently approve or reject project proposals with a single click—making event and participation management both simple and effective.

How we built it

We built the application using React (TypeScript) for the frontend, ensuring a responsive and user-friendly interface. For authentication and database management, we integrated Supabase, which allowed us to implement secure user roles and real-time data handling with minimal overhead.

Challenges we ran into

A challenge was working with Supabase, as it was our first time using it. While it simplified backend setup, understanding its authentication flow and real-time capabilities took some time.

We also spent time refining the user experience. Making the interface intuitive—especially around project proposals and service hour submissions—required several iterations.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Making the community a better place

What we learned

Through this project, we gained hands-on experience in building a full-stack web application using modern tools like React and Supabase. We deepened our understanding of authentication flows, role-based access control, and how to manage real-time data efficiently.

We also learned the importance of user experience design, especially when targeting a real-world pain point. Iterating on the UI taught us how small improvements can make a big difference in usability.

What's next for SMU:Serve

Integration with SMU systems: Explore possible ways to sync with official school platforms for smoother transitions. Community service calendar. Allow external organisations to make postings as well