$40 million facility will transform collaborative teaching and hands-on learning for future Bearkats.
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS––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 redefine 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 supported through a combination of The State of Texas’ Capital Construction Assistance Projects (CCAP) program and 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, contemporary spaces that support participatory learning and prepare students for real-world success.
“The ideas behind this new center are not new, they represent years of dedication to improving student outcomes and encouraging innovative teaching,” said SHSU President Alisa White. “As one of the campus’s highly visible gateway buildings, the Active Learning Center will stand as a testament to our innovative teaching in the past and our commitment to innovative teaching in the future.
The initiative builds on more than a decade of on-going work advancing active learning at SHSU. In 2009, the university launched the Professional and Academic Center for Excellence, now known as the Teaching and Learning Center, 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. The building is intentionally designed for interdisciplinary use, providing faculty and students with the resources and spaces needed to implement modern teaching strategies and foster meaningful collaboration across fields.