Irvine, California - Joined by more than 100 UCI Extension staff and guests, UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman and Dean of Continuing Education Gary Matkin celebrated the expansion of the campus by breaking ground on the new UCI Extension building. The groundbreaking ceremony, held last Thursday, marked a new chapter in UCI Extension’s quest to expand its professional and continuing education offerings and to serve an even greater number of learners. The 76,298-square-foot LEED Platinum building is located at 510 East Peltason Drive and is scheduled to open in Fall 2016.
“University Extension continues to build upon its mission of providing our adult and international students with preeminent educational opportunities,” says UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman. “Its long-standing legacy of serving the community is impressive, and to see it grow with a new state-of-the-art, expansive space is a milestone for the University. The new building will serve as an ideal environment for dynamic learning as well as represent an iconic cultural center for our growing campus.”
The design and construction is an architectural cooperative between internationally renowned firms, San Francisco, Calif-based Hathaway Dinwiddie and Seattle, WA-based LMN, and will be built with the latest green building strategies and practices, allowing the facility to qualify for the highly coveted LEED Platinum certification. In addition, the expansion will be built entirely without state funds.
The four-story structure will have 23 classrooms for up to 770 students and include office space for 200 staff members. The facility’s primary features will include two computer classrooms, one high-technology classroom, a 3,000 square-foot ballroom, international teacher space and an audio/video studio. Additional space will include food services and a coffee shop on site.
“This building is the culmination of more than five decades of growth and achievement for the continuing education arm of the university,” said Dean Matkin. “The elements incorporated within the design reflect the commitment of UCI Extension toward providing our students with the tools they need to broaden their professional skills and knowledge. This facility will incorporate cutting-edge technology to aid in learning and serve as an esteemed academic setting for our many international students.” Currently, UCI Extension maintains over 30,000 enrollments from students worldwide each year and offers hundreds of courses and programs designed for working professionals at the local, regional and global levels. Components of its more than 60 certificate and specialized-studies programs are offered on campus and online.
