UX Design Students Develop App for Easier Campus Navigation

PhotoA screenshot of the CampusNav app developed by Leah Camacho and team.
CampusNav, developed by UX Design student Leah Camacho and her team, helps Columbia College Chicago students navigate campus and access key resources.

Columbia College Chicago students now have a smarter way to navigate campus with CampusNav, a mobile app developed by UX Design student Leah Camacho and her team of nine peers. Designed to streamline the student experience, CampusNav simplifies navigation across the college’s dynamic urban campus while centralizing essential resources like academic events, career advising, and study spaces. Additionally, a campus security function to ensure a safe and confident experience no matter where a student is.  

Camacho was inspired to create CampusNav after noticing that many students—both new and returning—struggled to find their way through Columbia’s historic buildings and access vital campus information. She and her team envisioned a user-friendly solution that addressed these challenges and enhanced day-to-day campus life. Under Camacho’s leadership, the team designed features tailored to Columbia’s unique student community:

  • Interactive campus maps: Navigate Columbia’s complex and historic buildings with ease. 
    Heat map for quiet study spots: Displays real-time crowd density to help students find quiet areas for focused work. 
  • Event and resource hub: Centralizes academic events, career services, and campus resources into one accessible platform.  
  • Campus safety and security call feature: Request help and track ETA of security at the push of a button in emergency situations. Non-emergency situations are attended to via a 24/7 help line or report center. 

Creating CampusNav was both a challenging and rewarding project for Camacho and her team. Through hands-on research, design, and testing, they gained invaluable experience in UX design and project management. 

“CampusNav was an incredible opportunity for these talented designers and creators in the program. It was a truly immersive experience,” Camacho says. “Learning important lessons and gaining valuable insights in a unique team setting, we were all so excited to work and share this product.” 

Camacho credits much of the team’s success to their mentor, Jo-Nell Sieren, whose guidance helped them navigate challenges and achieve their vision. Now an essential tool for students, CampusNav makes it easier than ever to navigate Columbia College Chicago, access campus resources, and stay informed—all in one place. 

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