SHSU Breaks Ground on New Active Learning Center

Sam Houston State University Breaks Ground on New Active Learning Center

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has officially broken ground on its new Active Learning Center, marking a significant milestone in a transformative project designed to reshape the way Bearkats teach and learn.

Located on the site of the former Academic Building III, the $40 million, 46,421-square-foot facility will serve as a central hub for innovative, hands-on instruction across academic disciplines. The project is funded through Texas State University System Revenue Financing System Bonds.

Designed to promote collaboration and engagement, the state-of-the-art center will feature flexible classroom environments, advanced instructional technology and open, modern spaces to prepare students for real-world success through participatory learning.

The initiative builds on more than a decade of work advancing active learning at SHSU. In 2009, the university launched the Professional and Academic Center for Excellence to provide research-based professional development that enhances student learning outcomes. A decade later, SHSU deepened that commitment through its five-year Quality Enhancement Plan, which invested in active learning classrooms and technology across campus.

Scheduled for completion in February 2027, the new center reflects SHSU’s continued dedication to academic excellence and student-centered learning. Once complete, it will provide faculty and students with the resources to implement modern teaching strategies and foster meaningful collaboration across disciplines.