Georgetown University students launched a social app that aims to create a more efficient way for college students to share events March 24.
Gardner Heitzmann (MSB ’27) and Alpha Barry (CAS ’26) led the creation of What’s the Word, which allows users to discover, plan and share campus events ranging from large parties to study groups. The app is currently available for Georgetown students, and its founders plan to expand it to other campuses in the Washington, D.C. area.
Heitzmann said he and Barry designed the app to solve an issue other social media platforms fail to address: fostering in-person connection.
“Those big apps failed to bring people together in real life as part of the communities,” Heitzmann told The Hoya. “Ideally, What’s the Word would be that connection between building a sense of community on the app and encouraging people to meet up in real life at events.”
Barry said his interest in engaging with different groups at Georgetown inspired him to work on the app.
“We’re both social people, but we realized we weren’t connecting with our community as much as we could be,” Barry told The Hoya.
Heitzmann said that while existing social media platforms guide users to larger events, they fail to filter which users can interact with the content.
“You’ll have your friends there, but you might also end up surrounded by 30 or 40-year-olds you don’t want to hang out with,” Heitzmann said. “Limiting events to just college students creates a better environment — you’re around people you want to connect with. It also adds a layer of safety. You don’t want to show up to a random bar and be surrounded by strangers who make you uncomfortable.”
Heitzmann said What’s the Word is unique because it allows users to organize their own groups, parties and gatherings rather than merely attend events others organized. Hosts can invite specific users from their friends list or communities, including class sections and study groups. Users can see who else is attending and upload media, like candid photographs, shared notes and presentation slides.
Heitzmann said the app’s versatility allows it to effectively span parties, group projects and casual poker nights.
“It can be as simple as a group project with these people,” Heitzmann said. “I can see exactly who’s attending what events and what time it is. It’s more relevant to you, so everything is catered to your needs as a Georgetown student.”
Lindsay Devine (CAS ’26), a Georgetown student who uses the app, said it helps her keep tabs on which of her friends are attending events and learn more about the university’s social scene.
“Now that it’s on the App Store and people I don’t talk to every day have it, it’s honestly been a ton of fun just to see people posting the pictures of each event afterward,” Devine told The Hoya. “It’s been cool to see exactly who will be at what event.”
Devine said What’s the Word allows her to explore both familiar and unfamiliar aspects of social life on campus.
“I could go to this event where I don’t know anyone, or I could go to this event where I know everyone,” Devine said. “It’s just been nice to know ahead of time what the vibe of each event could be.”
Heitzmann said the app’s event media feature emphasizes authenticity by automatically adding photos taken at events to users’ profiles.
“Your profile is built out by your friends,” Heitzmann said. “That breaks down the psychological barrier of needing to post the best version of yourself. Instead, your account shows you candidly.”
While users build their communities themselves, What’s the Word also suggests connections and displays public events based on common interests or mutual friends.
Heitzmann said the app is especially effective in encouraging users to meet new people.
“I think the coolest part about public events is seeing people who aren’t in your immediate circle but you’ve maybe heard of or seen around,” Heitzmann said. “And even if you don’t know someone directly, you can click their profile and realize, ‘Oh, they’re in the same club as my friend, or they’re also from my home state.’ That kind of layered connection happens instantly.”
Heitzmann said he hopes the app will give students complete control over their social lives.
“It’s your community, your rules,” Heitzmann said. “We want people to shape their own spaces.”