What if a class project could launch your career? For a group of Austin Community College District (ACC) students, it did.
Through a hands-on internship with The University of Texas at Austin (UT), students in ACC’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program helped redesign UT’s online interactive campus map, turning classroom lessons into tools that thousands of people now use every day.
The project is part of an ongoing collaboration between ACC and UT. ACC GIS student interns used ArcGIS Experience Builder to revamp the UT maps, adding layers for amenities like food options, elevators, parking, and event spaces. Their work made the map more intuitive, accessible, and useful for students, staff, and campus visitors.
“ACC students played a big part in building this new experience from a user-centered perspective,” said Sean Moran, ACC GIS Professor. “This is the kind of experience that makes students job-ready—and makes a difference in the community.”
Former interns Ashton R. and Izzy G. leveraged experience gained on the UT project to advance to full-time GIS positions with Halff Engineering and Recurrent Energy. The second year of the project welcomed interns Kelsey G., Brian C., and Laura C., who continue to work to improve the UT campus map and related applications.
The upgraded map is now live and serves as a digital gateway for UT students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It supports a wide range of campus functions, from planning and accessibility to safety, utility mapping, and facilities management.
About Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GIS is a technology that collects, manages, and analyzes data to inform better decision-making. By layering information about terrain, infrastructure, population, and services, GIS maps help users identify patterns, optimize responses, and plan smarter, supporting fields such as construction, transportation, emergency services, and urban planning. GIS is critical to modern infrastructure and plays a growing role in shaping resilient, data-driven communities.
For more information on GIS, visit austincc.edu/gis.