Higher Ed


NRC to Issue Permit for Molten Salt Reactor at Abilene Christian University

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently announced its intention to complete a safety assessment and construction permit issuance by Sept. 30 for a Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) funded by Natura Resources on the campus of Abilene Christian University, according to a news release. The MSSR is the first liquid-fueled molten salt reactor design that the NRC has ever reviewed, and an environmental assessment was completed in March.

Fayetteville State University Starts Construction on New Residence Hall

Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., recently announced that construction has begun on a new $40-million residence hall, according to a news release. The building will have the capacity for 383 students and is scheduled for completion in fall 2025. The university partnered with KWK / Jenkins • Peer Architects for the project’s design.

Revolutionizing Community College Success

Community colleges play a crucial role in promoting educational equity and opportunity. However, they face numerous challenges that hinder student success, such as declining enrollment, low transfer rates, and disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions, and architects can provide novel design approaches to help tackle these pressing challenges.

California Community College Completes New STEM Building

Mt. San Jacinto Community College, Menifee Campus in Menifee, Calif., recently announced the completion of a new, $38-million STEM building, according to a news release. The college partnered with C.W. Driver Companies for the project’s construction, which broke ground in May 2022.

Wesleyan University to Convert Vacant Factory Space into Arts Lab

Wesleyan University recently announced the start of construction on a new Integrative Arts Lab for its campus in Middletown, Conn., according to a news release. The university is partnering with Bruner/Cott Architects on the transformation of a vacant factory building into an 18,700-square-foot space that will serve as the “nexus of the arts” on campus.

Utica University Partners with ABM for Facilities Management

Utica University in Utica, N.Y., recently announced a ten-year partnership with facilities services, infrastructure solutions, and parking management solutions provider ABM, according to a news release. The ABM Performance Solutions model offers a unified approach to the higher-education campus’ wide variety of required facilities services.

Santikos

Early Childhood & John L. Santikos Micronaut Centers

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Early Childhood & John L. Santikos Micronaut Centers have been recognized with an EDS 2024 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

Hogg Memorial Auditorium

Hogg Memorial Auditorium

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Hogg Memorial Auditorium at the University of Texas at Austin has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

The Walton Center for Planetary Health

The Walton Center for Planetary Health

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Arizona State University has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

School of Packaging Renovation & Addition

School of Packaging Renovation & Addition

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Michigan State University has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Project of Distinction award in the category of Renovation.

Elkay Expands Filtration Capabilities to Reduce Microplastics

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced that the Elkay brand has expanded its certified filter capabilities to include the reduction of microplastics, as well as lead and PFOA/PFOS, according to a news release. The filters can be integrated into Elkay bottle-filling stations, water coolers, water faucets, and water fountains installed in public locations like schools, universities, hospitals, and airports.

The HYDRO Building: Where Water Conservation Meets Preservation

In hopes of revitalizing the 200-year-old Colorado National Western Center, the Hydro building is a transformative, civic-centered, living laboratory that connects the urban core of Denver to the rural communities across the region through water literacy and conservation. As one of three signature buildings on the Colorado State University (CSU) Spur campus, Hydro reflects the water-focused research, education, and policy-making inside.

Michigan College Dedicates New Visual Media Center

Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Sajak Visual Media Arts Center, according to a news release. The center will contain filming and media production facilities for students and staff, and it was named in honor of Hillside College Board of Trustees Chairman and media personality Pat Sajak.

Virginia Tech to Start Construction on New College of Engineering

Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently announced that it has selected global construction and development firm Skanska to build a new 285,500-square-foot facility for the College of Engineering, according to a news release. Mitchell Hall will stand five stories and take the place of the existing Randolph Hall, which is scheduled for demolition in spring 2024.

A Case for Campus Mailroom Efficiency

The vast majority of university mail service centers were constructed prior to the advent of the digital age. Now, in the days of social media and same-day shipping, receiving or sending a letter in the mail is an uncommon occurrence, while online shopping and package delivery have seen a meteoric rise.

Western Governors University Selects AI Writing Assistance Partner

Online university Western Governors University recently announced a partnership with AI writing assistance provider Grammarly, according to a news release. The university will provide access to Grammarly’s real-time writing support services—and new Writing Score API—to all faculty and students.

Eureka College Expands Partnership with Technology Provider Apogee

Eureka College in Eureka, Ill., recently announced that it has expanded its five-year technology with Apogee to include Apogee Managed Campus, a suite of managed network, security, cloud, professional, and IT services, according to a news release. The college previously implemented Apogee ResNet and Apogee Managed Network Services in 2019.

University of Florida Gains Temporary Kitchen, Dining Structure

The University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., recently deployed a 6,600-square-foot temporary kitchen and dining structure in one of its parking lots, according to a news release. The structure known as “The Eatery” will serve students until the completion of Broward Hall renovations in fall 2024. The university partnered with Mobile Kitchen Solutions, a division of Rental Solutions and Events, to install the facility during winter break 2023.

Carousel Digital Signage platform

Carousel Digital Signage Now Integrates with Canva, Google Slides, Geckoboard

Carousel Digital Signage has announced native integrations with popular design, presentation, and dashboard tools Canva, Google Slides, and Geckoboard.

N.C. Community College Installs New Security Screening Solution

Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C., recently announced a partnership with security technology company Evolv Technology to install a new weapons detection system on campus, according to a news release. The college’s performing arts venue, Wilson Center, now makes use of the Evolv Express system at its main entrance to screen guests entering the building.

Rice University Breaks Ground on New Business School Facility

Rice University in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new facility for its Jones Graduate School of Business, according to a news release. The design of the $54.5-million project was unveiled at the ceremony; the building will cover 112,000 square feet and include amenities like classrooms, office and administrative space, dining areas, private-event facilities, and open gathering spaces.

University of Tennessee Expands WiFi Access to 102,000-Seat Stadium

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., recently deployed a new network offering blanket WiFi 6E access to all 101,195 seats in its historic Neyland Stadium, according to a news release. The project’s goal is to provide unlimited content streaming and other modern mobile services to fans during the entire game-day experience.

Student Housing Operator Receives Awards for Work at Five Higher Ed Institutions

Corvias Property Management recently announced that it was awarded the SatisFacts “Community Award for 2023” for its work at five colleges and universities, according to a news release. The awards are measured through annual or point-of-service surveys designed to recognize outstanding property management providers and student communities.

St. Petersburg College Opens New Workforce Innovation Hub

After five years of planning, St. Petersburg College (SPC) in Florida is now welcoming visitors to its new Chris Sprowls Workforce Innovation Hub on the Tarpon Springs campus. The 10,000-square-foot facility was dedicated in February 2024, and is devoted to manufacturing, creativity, and collaboration among students, educators, and business leaders.

water conservation

CSU Dominguez Hills Honored for Water Conservation Project

California State University, Dominguez Hills is one of four organizations to receive a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for major improvements to water management operations in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties.

Arizona State University, Biamp Partner for Hybrid Learning Technology Upgrades

The Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University in downtown Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced a partnership with audiovisual solutions provider Biamp to update technology in 140 classrooms, lecture halls, and collaboration spaces across its campus, according to a news release.

Encore Adds Wood Frame Option to Seating Collection

Seating and table solutions provider Encore recently announced the expansion of its Mayland seating collection to include wood frame options, according to a news release. The collection’s guest and lounge models were intended for use in higher-education, healthcare, corporate, and hospitality environments.

Northeast Lakeview College STEM Facility

Our New STEM Facility Changes the Game for Students

After several years of planning, design, and construction, we proudly opened the doors to Paluxy Hall at Northeast Lakeview College in August 2022. Situated on our 267-acre campus, the 80,000-square-foot facility provides students with the resources and support that they need to achieve success in science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) fields.

Roanoke College Breaks Ground on New Science Center

Roanoke College in Salem, Va., recently broke ground on the first phase of a new Science Center, according to a college news release. The three-phase project will transform three buildings on campus into a new STEM hub for academics and research. The first phase of construction entails the demolition of a 1970s-era auditorium building to make room for a $30-million academic building.

Florida A&M University Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

Florida A&M University recently broke ground on a new, 700-bed residence hall for its campus in Tallahassee, Fla., according to local news. The dorm for upperclassmen is scheduled to open by fall 2025 and will bring the total capacity of beds on campus to over 4,000. The goal of the project is to provide more housing opportunities to FAMU students while offering an alternative to rising off-campus housing costs.

Prairie View A&M University Debuts New Academic Building

Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, recently opened a new, three-story Engineering Classroom and Research Building (EnCARB), according to a news release. The 106,000-square-foot facility provides academic, research, and technical space for the university’s Roy G. Perry College of Engineering.

APM Steam Provides Heat Exchanger Assessment, Testing Services for Higher Education Facilities

APM Steam recently released a press release emphasizing its Heat Exchanger Assessment and Testing Services for the maintenance of steam systems at colleges and universities. The comprehensive exam is intended to enhance energy efficiency, operational integrity, and safety in facility steam systems.

Spaces4Learning Announces Results of 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards

You voted, we tallied! Spaces4Learning is proud to announce the results of the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award program. The program allows our audience to honor the best product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products and services are noteworthy in K–12 and higher-education environments.

TAMIU Partners with Greystar for Residence Hall Management

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, Texas, recently announced a partnership with Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC, for Greystar to manage its Office of Housing and Residence Life, according to a news release. Greystar will take over the operations for the university’s two student housing communities, University Village and the Residential Learning Community.

Marist College Selects DLR Group to Design New Campus Master Plan

Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it will partner with Marist College to design a new campus-wide master plan for its campus in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., according to a news release. The plan will serve as a blueprint for the Marist 100 initiative, a strategic plan that aligns with the college’s centennial celebration in 2029.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas Breaks Ground on New Operational Facility

Texas A&M University-Central Texas (TAMUCT) recently broke ground on a new operational facility for its campus in Killeen, Texas, according to a news release. The Centralized Operational Reliability and Efficiency (CORE) facility will measure in at 36,000 square feet, will cost an estimated $50 million, and has an estimated completion date of spring 2026.

NC State Completes Phase 4 of New Greek Housing Area

North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., recently announced the completion of three new residential facilities in its new Greek Village, according to a news release. They add a capacity of 279 beds and about 100,000 square feet of living space across three different models. The university partnered with a design team from KWK Architects/Jenkins • Peer Architects on the project.

University of Kentucky Starts Renovations on 120-Year-Old Facility

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently launched a renovation project to restore the historic Scovell Hall, originally built in 1903. The comprehensive rebuild has an estimated completion date of 2026 and will preserve the structure’s north and west entrances. The new facility will cover about 92,000 square feet and play home to administrative services for the university’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), according to a news release.

Gordian Report: Investments in Higher Education Facilities Up 26%

Data-driven solutions provider Gordian recently released its latest State of Facilities in Higher Education report, which revealed that higher-education institutions ramped up their reinvestment in facilities by more than 26% year-over-year during 2023, according to a news release.

futuristic classroom

The Future of Learning Environments: Flexibility, Simplicity, Connectivity

Spaces4Learning recently convened a panel of ed tech experts to discuss how technology and design can help create a better learning experience for all students — and how institutions can plan, design, and assess their own vision for the classroom of the future.

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