Roadrunner Connect
MSU Denver's all-in-one platform for campus event discovery and engagement
About the Project
Roadrunner Connect is MSU Denver’s all-in-one mobile and web platform that transforms how students, faculty, staff, and visitors engage with campus life. Built by students, for the community, it unifies event discovery across the university — from academic seminars to athletic games and cultural festivals — into one intuitive, map-driven experience.
Whether you’re looking to find a food truck on Tivoli Quad, attend a guest lecture, or cheer at a Roadrunners game, Roadrunner Connect makes it fun, easy, and rewarding.
Strategic Alignment with MSU Denver 2030
Roadrunner Connect directly supports Pillar III of the MSU Denver 2030 Strategic Plan: “Serve as an anchor institution by engaging with and contributing to the Denver community.”
By connecting students with on-campus opportunities and fostering meaningful engagement, the app strengthens MSU Denver’s role as a hub of culture, learning, and connection — helping cultivate a vibrant and inclusive campus experience.
Key Features
Map-Based Discovery
Browse events across MSU Denver using a live, interactive campus map. Filter events by time, location, or category (e.g., Arts, Academics, Athletics, Culture).
Integrated Calendar
Pulls real-time event data from Trumba, Roadrunner Athletics, and RoadrunnerLink to offer a comprehensive schedule of happenings.
Event Check-Ins
Geographically check in at events and leave comments or post photos to share your experience.
Feather Rewards System
Earn points (“feathers”) for attending events and participating in campus life. Unlock badges, trophies, and levels as you go.
Contests & Giveaways
Compete on leaderboards or win randomized rewards by attending featured events.
Personal Profiles
Track your engagement, achievements, and progress over time. Coming soon: Add friends, compare progress, and build social connections.
Admin Tools
Backend dashboard for managing giveaways, moderating user content, and adding/editing placemarks and events.
Get Involved. Get Rewarded.
With Roadrunner Connect, every step across campus is a chance to explore, connect, and win. Whether you’re discovering new communities, competing in challenges, or just keeping up with what’s happening, this app makes campus engagement both meaningful and fun.
Project Team
Leadership
- Project Director | Associate Professor of Computer Sciences
- MSU Denver
- June 2024 - Present
- Executive Director of University Strategy | Office of University Strategy
- MSU Denver
- June 2024 - Present
Current Student Developers
Ethan Sroka
- Full Stack Developer
- MSU Denver
- June 2025 - Present
Past Student Contributors
The project has benefited from contributions by numerous student developers:
- Carolanne (Cece) Housh - Project Lead | Full Stack Developer
- Kade Shockey - Project Lead | Full Stack Developer
- Vincent Cordova - Full Stack Developer
- Whitney Haddad - Full Stack Developer
- Shukria Gulzar - Developer Intern (Summer 2024)
- Aidan Rose - Developer Intern (Summer 2024)
- Kyle N. Zimmerman - Full Stack Developer (Spring/Summer 2025)
Technical Overview
The project uses modern development practices and technologies:
- Mobile Development - Native mobile applications for iOS and Android
- Web Development - Responsive web interfaces
- Backend Services - API development and integration
- Database Management - Data modeling and optimization
- DevOps Practices - Deployment and maintenance
- Map Integration - Custom campus map for event discovery
- Real-time Data - Integration with Trumba, Athletics, and RoadrunnerLink
Student Learning Experience
Students participating in Roadrunner Connect gain experience in:
- Mobile application development (iOS/Android)
- Web frontend development
- Backend API development
- Database design
- User experience research
- Agile project management
- Code review and collaboration
Learning by Building
Students work on production software systems that serve real users, gaining experience that goes beyond classroom exercises.
Full-Stack Experience
Team members contribute across the entire application stack, from mobile development to backend services.
Real-World Constraints
Working on a live application teaches students about maintenance, user feedback, and iterative development.
Relationship to C3 Lab
As a C3 Lab initiative, Roadrunner Connect demonstrates our core principles:
- Community-Centered - Built to serve the campus community
- Student-Driven - Students lead development efforts
- Applied Research - Real-world application of computing skills
- Accessible Design - Usable by diverse campus populations
Interested in joining the Roadrunner Connect team? Contact Dr. Daniel Pittman at dpittma8@msudenver.edu to learn about current opportunities.