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Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

  • By Matt Jones
  • 08/21/25

Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program, providing a consolidated complex for innovation, research, and collaboration. Construction will begin later this year and has an estimated completion date of summer 2027.

“Over the years, our college has experienced significant growth in students, faculty, research, and academic programs,” said Dr. Lin Li, Dean of the College of Engineering. “This facility will provide a world-class space that enhances interdisciplinary collaboration across six undergraduate programs, three master’s programs, and one Ph.D. program. It will also host innovative engineering activities that directly benefit the metro Nashville area and Middle Tennessee.”

The facility features classrooms; computer labs; and a combined total of 30 teaching and research labs, including a Future Energy Lab, Drone Flight and Air Traffic Lab, and an Additive Manufacturing Lab, the news release reports. The university partnered with Melvin Gill & Associates and Bauer Askew Architecture for the project’s design.

“The new engineering building is the first step in elevating Tennessee State University’s engineering program to meet the demands of industry and the state of Tennessee,” said Will Radford, the university’s assistant vice president of Planning, Design, and Construction. “By establishing new partnerships and providing modern facilities, we are positioning TSU engineering students to not only keep pace but to set standards in the industry.”

About the Author

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

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