Albany State University new early learning center facility and student housing upgrades
ALBANY, Ga. – Albany State University (ASU) is undergoing significant facility upgrades, enhancing the campus experience for students.
The campus is set for major growth as the University of Georgia Board of Regents has approved two major building projects, including a comprehensive renovation.
“Just in this building here… We’re renovating all three floors of our academic site. We’re going to place our faculty on the third floor. We’re going to place classrooms and labs on the first two floors, as well as a learning common area. It’s going to be the first time that we’ve ever had a learning common area where the students don’t have to leave this facility. They can hang out in between classes, study for test. We’re going to have meeting rooms so the students can meet. We’re going to have conference rooms, so they can meet with their faculty all within one building. Have a new early learning center that we’re building. We’re going to start construction in October. It’s going to be named after our first female president, Dr. Portia Holmes Shields. But, our education students will be able to get their student learning hours in at our educational facility as well as our occupational therapists program. They will be able to observe pediatric students at our facility,” said Dr. Ivory Lucas III, Executive Director of Facilities, Planning, Design, & Construction.
The first approved project is the construction of an early childhood center, designed to provide safe and affordable childcare for both the campus and the community.
The second project involves building a $8.8 million dollar, 30,682-square-foot student residential facility, which will offer 64 beds for junior and senior honor students. Additionally, the Billy C. Black building will undergo a major renovation, with completion anticipated by fall 2025.
Dr. Ivory Lucas III, executive director of facilities, planning, design, and construction at Albany State University, emphasizes that students remain the university’s top priority.
“Our students are our number one priority, they’re the reason why we’re here. As a south Georgia resident, this is my home. I am excited about what we’re able to bring to the students in this area. We are creating a educational hub for the future. In our construction meetings, everything we designed is for our students, for the future. We’re building for the future, for growth for Albany, Albany State and this entire southwest region,” said Dr. Lucas III.
Albany State University invites the public to explore the wide range of opportunities the institution has to offer.
“Beyond the projects that I just mentioned, we’re excited about what we have to offer for our students and what we have to offer for our upcoming students. So, it’s going to be a privilege to be in this new facility, because if you make the grades, we want to be able to reward those students,” said Dr. Lucas III.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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