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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 17, 2025

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Co-Locate and Consolidate to Create Connected Campuses

Grow in Place Rather Than Add More Space Where Students Will Succeed

By: Elliot Felix, MArch

You can share spaces, support services, staffing, and technology systems within your institution and with external partners. This reduces costs while improving outcomes such as retention, graduation, and career placement rates.

From Volume 53 Number 3 | April–June 2025

Abstract: Colleges and universities have a traditional way to meet new needs. When there is a new research initiative, degree program, or student support function, institutions add space. Despite good intentions, their siloed structures, poor strategic planning, and history of continuous expansion mean that institutions adapt by adding. The result: Campuses are overbuilt and underutilized. Instead of shared spaces and seamless, supportive experiences, we’re left with sprawling campuses and spiraling costs. With enrollments, research funding, and our climate all changing, it’s time for a new model and a new mantra: Grow in place rather than add more space.

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Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

Delivering a Renovated Learning Commons for an Engaged Academic Community

Abstract: Integrated planning is essential for delivering campus facilities that support institutional vision and create a strong student academic experience. Juniata College was at a crossroads related to vision and curriculum direction while it was launching a comprehensive campaign that prioritized a library renovation. This session will focus on one provost's vision for planning and designing a learning commons around a new curriculum and share post-occupancy data to define what worked. Come learn how the planning, funding, and design process behind this inclusive facility has dramatically increased library use by students, faculty, and outside groups.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
April 30, 2025

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Colocating Dissimilar Academic Programs

A School of Nursing and a School of Engineering Align for Mutually Beneficial Outcomes

By: Ed Stand, BArch, LEED BD+C, AIA, Richard S. Leddy, MBA, P.E., and Laura White, BArch, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP

Respecting mission-oriented mutual goals, two schools at Hofstra University shaped an improbable pedagogical partnership through cross-functional collaboration and data-informed decision-making.

From Volume 53 Number 2 | January–March 2025

Abstract: Administrators at colleges and universities across the country face mounting concerns over enrollment rates, curricular rigor, and climbing real estate costs. These challenges are particularly daunting for liberal arts institutions, many of which have pivoted or are pivoting to STEM programs out of necessity. Cross-disciplinary colocation strategies can enhance hands-on learning opportunities while optimizing spatial and financial resources. This article explores the planning approach to forming mutually successful partnerships between dissimilar academic programs through mission-oriented cross-functional collaboration, including examples of tools and processes for data-informed decision-making.

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Report

Published
October 26, 2022

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Smart Building, Smart Campus

By: Angela Foss, Autodesk (previously of Southern New Hampshire University)

This is a SCUP Fellow Research Project Final Report for the 2019–2020 program. This report explores the hypothesis that user-centered design would better address STEM student needs and could increase the likelihood of a broader adoption of remote labs.
Abstract: “Will innovative environments like a smart building expand STEM education and reach more underrepresented groups? If technology can support remote work, then why haven’t the previous proofs of concept become fully adopted?” The author pursued these questions through her SCUP Fellows research, exploring the hypothesis that user-centered design would better address STEM student needs and could increase the likelihood of a broader adoption of remote labs. Although the COVID-19 pandemic required a hard pivot in her research plan, she was able to leverage the world's new focus on remote activities and work with students to design a prototype mobile application for a digital, interactive twin of a STEM building on campus.

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Partner Content

Published
October 1, 2022

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Use Evidence to Plan Facilities That Drive Student Success

By: Elliot Felix

In this article, the author draws upon research from his book How to Get the Most Out of College to highlight the evidence that campus planners and designers can use to help drive student success.
Abstract: Colleges and universities are in the midst of a transition from an access mindset to a success mindset, and campus facilities can play a role in this shift. Institutions don’t have to guess at how—a large body of research can and should inform how we plan, design, and operate our campuses. In this article, the author draws upon research from his book How to Get the Most Out of College to highlight the evidence that campus planners and designers can use to help drive student success.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
February 22, 2022

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Getting in the eGame

Esports Streaming Gives the University of Kentucky a New Way to Grow Revenue and Recruit Students

By: Michael Stewart, BS, and Heath Price, MS

The University of Kentucky understood the importance of technology in preparing students for the digital world. With public-private partnerships, it sought opportunities to be an industry leader in leveraging that capacity for its students, faculty, staff, and the community.

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: The University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Kentucky Esports Club worked together to establish the University of Kentucky Esports Lounge. Students were surveyed on their gaming needs, and the resulting wish list (i.e., equipment selection, space configuration, furniture, etc.) fed into the decision-making process by all constituents. The project budget was derived by a larger construction project at the University that focused on student recruitment, community, and connection to the non-student demographic. The UK team ultimately planned and launched the custom facility to meet users’ particular needs—while finding a way for the University to produce an additional revenue stream.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
September 21, 2021

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Libraries in Shaping the Future of Higher Education

Part Three: Libraries as Place in Institutional Transformation

By: Nicholas Santilli (Host), Society for College and University Planning | Lynn Priddy (Moderator), Claremont Lincoln University | Adriene I. Lim, University of Maryland College Park | Brian Smith, Boston College | Elliot Felix, brightspot strategy

In what ways will libraries continue to be the intellectual hubs where users interact with ideas in both physical and virtual environments to expand learning and facilitate the creation of new knowledge?
Abstract: In what ways will libraries continue to be the intellectual hubs where users interact with ideas in both physical and virtual environments to expand learning and facilitate the creation of new knowledge? The pandemic has illustrated the power of place and the need for the post-pandemic campus to integrate academic activities for lifelong learning and research.

This conversation will explore the place of the library to convene people for impactful connections, and the new emerging and transformational role of libraries as learning commons that shape the overall campus as a network for collaboration.

This is part three of a three-part webinar series.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 16, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Supporting the Whole Student

New Models for Integrated Learning Centers

By: Jonathan Eldridge, College of Marin | Kelly Sanford, brightspot strategy | David Schnee, Group 4 Architecture Research | Stacey Thompson, Chabot College

In this session, we’ll share how the College of Marin and Chabot College's integrated learning centers are serving changing student populations using an inclusive library design approach.
Abstract: Even as 'non-traditional' students become the norm at community colleges, too many campus spaces and services fail to meet their needs. Inclusive engagement strategies can help ensure that we design for today's students. We'll share how the College of Marin and Chabot College's integrated learning centers are serving changing student populations using an inclusive library design approach. You'll learn how incorporating inclusive engagement and outreach in your planning process can result in facilities that allow students to better navigate the 'hidden curriculum' of college life and strengthen campus cohesion.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
October 1, 2020

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From Academic Program Decisions to Results

Building and Managing a Robust Program Portfolio

By: Antoinette Farmer-Thompson, Deputy Vice President, Educational Outreach & Student Services, ASU University; Design Institute Expert in Residence; Former Dean and Senior Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness (Moderator) | William Massy, Professor Emeritus and Former CFO, Stanford University; Former President, The Jackson Hole Higher Education Group, Inc. | Steve Probst, Senior Partner, Gray Associates, Inc. | Nicholas Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, Society for College and University Planning (SCUP); Professor Emeritus of Psychology, John Carroll University

The decision-making process is only the beginning—how do you build a robust program portfolio in a way that ensures educational quality, financial sustainability, and meets the needs of your students? We will provide real-world examples of ways to effectively build quality online programs and courses that improve student access and retention, including performance metrics and faculty engagement.

This is part three of a three-part program series, “Integrated Planning to Build a Thriving Academic Program Portfolio.”

Abstract: This is part three of a three-part program series, “Integrated Planning to Build a Thriving Academic Program Portfolio.” These discussions will help you build a strategic and sustainable program portfolio that is mission-centered, data-informed, student-centered, and focused on growth opportunities.

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