Santa Ana College Debuts New Student Center

Santa Ana College, located in Santa Ana, Calif., debuted its new $60-million student center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the evening of Tuesday, July 27. The Johnson Student Center measures in at 63,642 square feet and was funded through Measure Q bond funds approved by voters in 2012. The student center represents the penultimate district project that will be paid for with those funds.

“Based on recent social media engagement, students are excited to experience in-person this state-of-the-art building come this fall,” said Dalilah Davaloz, college spokeswoman.

The two-story facility will house financial aid offices, a campus bookstore, a health and wellness center, a cafeteria, and a student lounge area featuring billiards and table tennis tables. The new Johnson Student Center replaces the old student center of the same name, which was torn down in 2018.

The college partnered with HPI Architecture for the project. The facility is on target to be granted LEED Silver Certification. The college will hold an open house and hourly campus tours on Wednesday, July 28, and Thursday, July 29.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.