Penn State Harrisburg Board of Advisers Vice Chair Matt Tunnell, Student Government President Autumn Zodet and Chancellor David Callejo Pérez ceremonially turn over the first shovelfuls of dirt at the site of the future Academic Learning Center.
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — The Penn State Harrisburg campus community, along with stakeholders and alumni, gathered on April 22 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the campus’s new $48 million Academic Learning Center (ALC), which is slated to open for the fall 2026 semester. College Chancellor David Callejo Pérez was joined by Student Government President Autumn Zodet and Board of Advisers Vice Chair Matt Tunnell to ceremonially turn over the first shovelfuls of dirt at the site.
“It is an absolute pleasure to welcome you here today as we mark another significant milestone in the growth and evolution of our campus. I am honored to have you join us as we break ground on what will soon become a centerpiece of our campus. This center — which has been many years in the making — will serve as the heart of our academic quad and showcase what is possible when you invest in teaching, learning and discovery,” Callejo Pérez said at the event.
The Penn State Harrisburg campus community, along with stakeholders and alumni, gathered on April 22 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the campus’s new $48 million Academic Learning Center (ALC), which is slated to open for the fall 2026 semester.
He noted that the college’s expanding student population and the increasing demand for additional classroom and collaborative space make the ALC critical to the future of Penn State Harrisburg.
Strategically located, the new building will link academic classrooms, the Student Enrichment Center and the Madlyn L. Hanes Library. Designed as a hub for the college’s teaching, research and service priorities, the ALC will feature a number of state-of-the-art amenities, including:
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A 47,000-square-foot, two-story structure anchoring the southern edge of the academic core.
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Technologically rich classrooms and flexible spaces for hands-on, interactive learning across disciplines.
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Twelve cutting-edge classrooms — ranging from 60 to 120 seats — supporting diverse teaching styles and learning experiences.
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An expansive creative commons and multiple breakout areas designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and engagement.
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A thoughtfully designed and purposefully created facility that meets the evolving needs of the campus community.
Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor David Callejo Perez speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Academic Learning Center.
“This building is a vision for learning that is interdisciplinary, interactive and inclusive … where students and faculty alike can exchange ideas, where researchers and community members can collaborate, and where the next generation of thinkers, creators and change-makers will be inspired,” Callejo Pérez added. “Today, we celebrate more than the start of construction, we celebrate Penn State Harrisburg’s strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success.”
Callejo Pérez also expressed his appreciation to the planners, architects, faculty, students, staff and community supporters, as well as former Harrisburg chancellors who helped envision and advocate for this transformative space.
Autumn Zodet, Student Government Association President, speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Academic Learning Center
Zodet, who will graduate this spring with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and public policy, said the ALC “represents the next exciting chapter in this growth” on campus. She reflected on how the building will create inclusive spaces for students to thrive, enable new learning opportunities, support relationship-building and a sense of belonging, and provide a central location for large-scale student events and activities.
“For our students, the Academic Learning Center will be more than just another building on campus. This space embodies who we are as a community and is reflective of the students it will serve,” Zodet said. “The future at Harrisburg is bright. Developments like the ALC, tailored to the needs of our students, exemplify our commitment to their success. I have no doubt this building will become a cornerstone of campus life: a place where ideas flourish, connections deepen and our community continues to grow. The ALC design reflects our commitment to supporting our diverse, engaged, thriving community. I can’t wait to see how this new space will empower future classes of students to achieve even greater heights.”
She also thanked college administrators for involving students throughout the planning process to ensure the design reflects their needs and interests.
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with campus leadership that is dedicated to representing student voices and perspectives in shaping the future of our campus,” Zodet said.
For more information on the Academic Learning Center and other projects, visit the Campus Plan page.
A crowd of students listens during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Academic Learning Center.
