FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The heart of the Fresno City College campus was beating again Monday.
While some students stopped to ask for directions, others met up with friends or grabbed a bite to eat.
On the east side of campus, near Weldon and Blackstone Avenue, a brand new addition officially opened its doors and Hanna Ali was there to greet everyone.
“I’m a student ambassador. I’m always free to help students. We work at the welcome center,” Ali said.
In her third semester as a biology student, she says she can’t wait to start classes in the – aptly named – “New Science” building.
“I’m so excited. I’ve been waiting for this all semester. As soon as I heard about it, I was so excited,” Ali said.
Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Science and Engineering Shirley McManus says the 87,000-square-foot building offers larger classrooms and plenty of storage space.
“It’s a dream come true because we’ve always been asking for classroom space in the old building, and now we have it,” McManus said.
The old science building still offers courses in geology, natural sciences and astronomy.
This building houses biology, chemistry, engineering and physics.
It is also home to Fresno Unified’s Design Science Middle College students, who are dual enrolled in high school and college.
The three stories are now the first thing visitors and students see when they arrive on campus.
“After our Vision 2035 planning, it was designated that this side of campus would be the official gateway to Fresno City College, and this building is just a monument to that effect. It’s beautiful,” said Acting President Dr. Kim Armstrong.
The building is filled with tutoring spaces and flexible study areas for students.
The additional room means more classes will be available in the fall.
Three new teachers will also be hired.
McManus says she hopes students will see the effort the college puts into their education.
“We want to give them a top-notch education, and that’s where they’re going to get it,” McManus said.
This was the last construction project to be completed for the college
Previous projects include completion of the parking structure in 2022, the West Fresno Center and First Responder Campus in 2023 and the Child Development Center last year.
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