Northwest Vista College and the Alamo Colleges District formally unveiled their newly constructed $33.9 million Cedar Elm STEM Center project in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning.
Designed by Overland Partners and located at 3535 N. Ellison Drive on the Northwest Vista College campus, the new building is 52,550 square feet and is intended as a learning hub for students in science, technology, engineering and math, as well as those pursuing interdisciplinary pursuits.
Alamo Colleges Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores said that with STEM careers in high demand, the Cedar Elm STEM Center was an vitally needed new resource for students.
The new building's construction was financed through a May 2017 general obligation bond approved by Bexar County voters. The bond allocated $69 million to Northwest Vista College to improve existing buildings and add new facilities.
The Cedar Elm STEM Center offers innovation and technology-based education: labs for chemistry, engineering, math, physics, genetics and tutoring; contemporary general-purpose classrooms; instructor offices; and student and faculty common areas.
The site is surrounded by trees with outdoor spaces for nature immersion. Other amenities include a dedicated food truck station.
NVC Dean for Academic Success Dr. Russ Frohardt said that chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering faculty and staff would be moving in soon, with classes and labs for students held in the building starting in fall of 2022.
"Our new STEM Center will spark even more innovation and technology-based education, helping strengthen our existing local and regional partnerships,” Northwest Vista College President Dr. Ric Baser.
