Case Study
Emmaus University
Complete Platform Rebuild & Digital Transformation for Higher Education
Technology
About the Project
The Challenge
Emmaus University was trapped in a technical nightmare. Their Drupal 7 website used a poorly-converted WordPress theme created by a developer who lacked Drupal expertise, resulting in a platform riddled with broken functionality and nearly impossible to maintain. Staff struggled with basic updates, certain features simply didn't work, and the university's digital presence failed to reflect their academic standards. They needed a complete rescue and rebuild that would restore confidence in their web platform.
Our Solution
We delivered a comprehensive platform rebuild starting with Drupal 8, later upgrading through versions 9 and 10 as the platform evolved. Working with elements the team appreciated from their previous design, we created an entirely new custom theme with a polished, professional aesthetic. Using Drupal's layout builder, we constructed an intuitive page building system empowering staff to create sophisticated content without coding knowledge. We integrated the Webform module for powerful form creation, eliminating reliance on third-party services, and developed a custom tuition calculator that simultaneously serves prospective students and generates qualified leads for the enrollment team.
The Results
Emmaus University transformed from a broken, frustrating platform into a sophisticated digital presence that staff confidently manage. The enrollment team leverages interactive tools that engage prospective students while capturing valuable lead data, faculty and administrators update content without technical support, and the university projects a professional image that matches their academic excellence—all on a stable, modern platform that has successfully scaled through multiple Drupal version upgrades.
Features
Layout Builder
Flexible Page Building System
Custom component library designed to match university branding
Layout builder enabling staff to create and modify pages independently
Drag-and-drop interface for adding, removing, and arranging content blocks
Foolproof design system preventing layout breaks and branding inconsistencies
Powerful landing page creation without developer assistance
Lead Gen
Custom Tuition & Scholarship Calculator
Interactive tool allowing prospective students to calculate program costs
Scholarship eligibility assessment and cost estimation
Lead generation functionality capturing student information for enrollment team
Dual-purpose design serving both student needs and recruitment goals
Webform
Integrated Form System
Webform module implementation eliminating need for external form services
Custom form builder for admissions, inquiries, and internal processes
Submission management and routing to appropriate departments
Flexible form design matching site aesthetics
Upgrade
Modern Platform Architecture
Complete custom theme development reflecting university's visual identity
Progressive Drupal upgrades from version 8 through 10
Stable, maintainable codebase replacing poorly-structured previous theme
Mobile-responsive design ensuring accessibility across all devices
Performance optimization supporting institutional growth
