A project designed to help visitors more easily navigate campus has earned University of the Pacific a global award.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education, better known as CASE, awarded Pacific with gold for its newly designed digital campus map in the organization’s Circle of Excellence awards, a prestigious annual contest for colleges and universities.

The judges took note of Pacific’s ability to blend technology with accessibility and complete the project with internal resources.

Six hundred institutions around the world submitted more than 4,000 entries, with just under 500 selected for recognition.

“We are proud to be recognized by CASE,” said Senior Director of Digital Communications Ryan Walters, who led the interdepartmental team behind the digital campus map. “Our ability to create an award-winning digital resource for our campus community speaks to the spirit of collaboration and excellence that our university is known for.”

Visitors can use the digital map to get directions or identify key locations, such as parking lots or athletic facilities. The map’s most notable feature—a scannable QR code—allows users to transfer directions directly to Google Maps on their phones so that they can take directions with them. A pre-programed campus tour route is also available.

The map was designed in collaboration between Pacific’s Office of Strategic Communications and Pacific Technology.

“The application started as a basic map and rapidly grew to a fully immersive experience,” said Shawn Kerns, information security analyst for Pacific Technology. “This project highlights the many talents our Pacificans have and our steadfast attention to ensuring Pacific has the best student-centered education in the nation.”

The map can be accessed on 82-inch touch screen monitors in five high-traffic locations on the Stockton Campus, including the One-Stop Student Center inside Knoles Hall. See the map in action.

“Our strategic communications and technology teams have done a tremendous job designing a map that is intuitive, engaging and extraordinarily helpful to prospective students, families and others visiting our historic campus,” said President Christopher Callahan. “I’m thrilled the judges at CASE have recognized the exceptional work our staff are doing.”

Pacific also received recognition in last year’s Circle of Excellence Awards, earning recognition in two categories for the annual Pacific Magazine.