Bellevue College broke ground last week on its 69,000-square-foot Student Success Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will eventually house multiple student support programs.

“This Student Success Center will change the way our students enter the college and how we support them on their journey through higher education. All the functions for entering the college will be in one location as will the services that support student success,” Dr. Jerry Weber, Bellevue College president, said in a statement. “Currently these offices and services are scattered across the campus and by locating more programs together, we increase awareness of what’s available, like our veteran’s program or multicultural services.”

The building’s three floors represent the students’ progression through the educational process. On the first floor, students will be able to visit academic advisers and the Welcome Center. The second floor will house counseling, multicultural, and other services for enrolled students. On the third floor, students will have access to the school’s veteran’s program and Center for Career Connections.

“We have so many tech jobs coming to our region over the next four years. Programs like the ones Bellevue College offers will be essential to developing our workforce,” said City of Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. “I also appreciate that the Student Success Center is a community gathering space where small conferences and community groups can convene.”

According to the college’s statement, the project is targeting LEED Gold certification.

“As we expand campus facilities, it’s important to do so in a way that minimizes our carbon footprint,” William Tribble, executive director of campus operations, said in the statement. “Of course we’ll be adopting measures like energy efficient lighting and recycling lumber, but we’re also engaging in some out-of-the-box ideas, like constructing furniture sourced and built from campus trees.”

The Student Success Center is expected to be completed by early 2020.

SOURCE: 425Business.com