AC Regents approve plan to proceed with design & construction of labs, greenhouse

The structure on the Washington Street Campus will house instructional labs and a greenhouse to support new certificate and degree programs being developed in horticulture, biochemistry, environmental science and sustainable resources.

Funding is provided by a $4.9 million Hispanic-Serving Institution—STEM Grant the College received last September from the U.S. Department of Education. The research facility and the many new degree and certificate programs it will support, are part of an effort to increase access to and participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree pathways.

Regents earmarked $2.4 million of the grant award for design, construction and equipping of the new facility. They also selected architectural firm Parkhill, Smith & Cooper to handle the design and to suggest an optimal location for the new structure. It is expected to be completed and in operation in time for the fall semester of 2018.

The STEM Grant provides funding for new labs and research space, along with a generous allowance for cutting-edge equipment. STEM students will conduct research utilizing everything from a fluorescence microscope for live cell imaging, to a gas chromatograph for analysis of soil and plant chemicals.

This grant opportunity was given exclusively to colleges and universities officially designated as Hispanic-serving — those whose academic enrollment is at least 25 percent Hispanic. As of Spring 2017, AC’s Hispanic enrollment stands at approximately 39 percent.