Pierce College is transforming a 20-year dream into reality by constructing a new cutting-edge building for the math, psychology and computer science departments, setting the stage for innovation.
After nearly two decades of planning and anticipation, the grand opening for the new Academic East building is set for Oct. 11, marking a significant milestone in the college’s construction and modernization efforts.
Pierce President Ara Aguiar expressed her excitement about the new Academic East building. The new facility, which will feature modern classrooms, computer labs and faculty offices, is set to replace older structures that are slated for demolition.
“I know it’s going to be a beautiful building,” Aguiar said. “It’s going to provide state-of-the-art opportunities for our students, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Aguiar also mentioned that several additional buildings are planned for the near future, contributing to a significant transformation of the campus landscape.
“It’s wonderful to be able to teach in those new rooms because they’re so beautiful,” Aguiar said.
Calculus professor David Soto expressed cautious optimism about the project.
“It’s a building that has been promised for more than 20 years,” Soto said. “The only feeling that I have is that I will believe it when I see it constructed.”
Soto also noted his hopes about the potential impact of the new building on student enrollment.
“It might help attract new students,” Soto said. “On the same token, it’s not only about constructing new buildings. It’s about promoting a culture of community among students.”
Angela Belden, statistics and developmental psychology professor, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming facilities.
“It’s going to be fabulous to have a newer building that people can use and teach without having to add it into a room that things don’t really fit in,” Belden said. “It’s going to be a game changer for all of us. Having a computer lab that’s functional, that’s stationary, that students can use and that faculty can teach in is going to help tremendously.”
With the grand opening just around the corner, Aguiar said she looks forward to the positive changes that this new space will bring to Pierce’s educational environment.
“This new building is a step toward creating a more engaged and technologically equipped learning atmosphere,” Aguiar said.