SC State reports progress on $330 million in campus and facility improvements

Author: Sam Watson, Executive Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing|Published: November 11, 2026|All News, Faculty & Staff News, Student News

An aerial view of construction on Benjamin E. Mays Hall, SC State's new 500-bed residence hall.

Major construction projects advance toward 2027 openings as university invests in academics, housing, research and student life

ORANGEBURG, S.C.- South Carolina State University's approximately $330 million investment in capital improvements is reshaping its main campus and Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) sites, with major construction projects advancing toward 2027 openings and additional facilities moving through design and planning.

Funded through a combination of state, federal and university sources, the initiative includes new academic buildings, expanded student housing, upgraded student facilities and investments in research infrastructure.

Among the most visible projects on the main campus are a new 500-bed residence hall, a $20 million student center expansion, a new academic building and renovations to Sojourner Truth Hall. The university also broke ground in October on a $30 million library and Honors College facility.

The improvements support The Garnet and Blueprint 2030, SC State's strategic plan, by expanding residential capacity, modernizing learning environments and strengthening facilities for instruction, research and student engagement.

Benjamin E. Mays Hall rises with 500 beds planned for fall 2027

Construction is progressing on Benjamin E. Mays Hall, a $50 million residence hall designed to accommodate approximately 500 students, with freshmen receiving housing priority.

The approximately 100,000-square-foot building, located near Mitchell Hall and Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, will feature three study areas on each floor, a lobby with a common kitchen and gathering space, and laundry facilities on every floor. Additional amenities include Amazon package lockers on the first floor and electronic access controls at the building entrance and individual rooms.

Crews have completed the tilt-up concrete wall panels in one section of the building. Steel erection began Sept. 24, followed by interior wall construction Oct. 26.

The residence hall is scheduled for occupancy in July 2027, ahead of the fall semester.

Bulldog Commons adds space for dining, recreation and student services

Bulldog Commons is the 44,000-square-foot addition to the Kirkland W. Green Student Center. The $20 million expansion of SC State's student center, known as Bulldog Commons, is progressing toward a July 2027 occupancy date.

Foundations and the elevator shaft enclosure are complete. Steel erection began Oct. 12, with the dining hall portion of the steel structure and its concrete pour completed.

The project will add approximately 44,000 square feet to the existing student center, bringing the combined facility to approximately 78,000 square feet.

Planned features include expanded dining options, a bookstore, a Career Center, esports facilities, a sports café, a second-floor café and patio, and student collaboration spaces.

The expansion follows a $4.4 million renovation of the existing student center.

Exterior walls going up on new academic building

The 90,000-square-foot academic building will replace the Turner Hall complex, which is visible at the top of the aerial image. Exterior wall construction began Sept. 15 on the new $54.7 million academic building that will replace Turner Hall. Underground electrical work was approximately 90% complete at the time of the latest project update.

The approximately 90,000-square-foot facility will house general education instruction and programs in the College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Planned features include classrooms, offices, a café and a mock courtroom.

Occupancy is scheduled for October 2027.

Site work launches new chapter for library and Honors College

SC State's new library will sit at the former location of Bradham and Manning Halls. The $30 million library facility will replace the Miller F. Whittaker Library. SC State broke ground in October on a $30 million library facility that will replace the Miller F. Whittaker Library.

The building will include reading rooms, meeting and conference spaces, archives, a computer laboratory, an atrium, a café and an exhibition area. Dedicated facilities for the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College will include a commons area, offices, conference space and a multipurpose room.

For both the library and the academic building, Evoke Studio Architecture is the architectural firm, and Thompson Turner Construction is the construction firm.

Initial site utility work at the library site began in October. The new library will be built at the former location of Bradham and Manning Halls.

An occupancy date has not been established.

Sojourner Truth Hall upgrades target spring reopening

Renovations are advancing at Sojourner Truth Hall, a 384-bed residence hall, with window replacements completed through eight floors.

The project has a current approved budget of $25 million. SC State has requested an additional $2 million budget increase to address unforeseen construction conditions.

Occupancy is scheduled for April 2027.

More projects move through design and approvals

Several other projects are advancing through planning and design:

• Nance Hall renovation: The $15 million project is in design, with relocation of classes and offices having begun Oct. 7.
• Reserve Officers' Training Corps Center: The $19 million, 30,000-square-foot facility has received Phase I approval and authorization for an alternative project delivery method. A selection committee is reviewing 15 architectural and engineering proposals. Planned features include classrooms, cadet fitness facilities, a pool, administrative offices and meeting spaces.
• Transportation Research and Conference Center: The $14 million project is undergoing coordination with the Federal Highway Administration and the South Carolina Office of State Engineer. The university received an architectural and engineering proposal from Perkins&Will on Sept. 23 and is reviewing details before federal submission.
• New SC State Public Safety Building: SC State Public Safety Building: The $8 million project is in the planning stage. The university has received 15 architectural and engineering proposals for design services.
• Campus perimeter fence: The $7 million project is advancing through planning as part of SC State's overall safety initiative.
• Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center replacement: SC State has received $7.5 million in state funding to plan a replacement for the existing convocation center and is seeking an additional $60 million from the state for construction. The university has selected McMillan Pazdan Smith to provide architectural and engineering services and is reviewing the firm's Phase I proposal.

The Extended Campus: PSA projects expand research infrastructure

SC State's capital improvement program also includes projects at Public Service and Agriculture sites, with combined approved budgets of approximately $49.8 million.

• Midlands Region 1890 Research and Extension Center, Cayce: The $14.57 million project has reached a major milestone, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture leasing and occupying office space completed in the first phase. The second phase is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with completion anticipated April 1, 2027.
• Camp Harry E. Daniels redevelopment, Elloree:The $23.68 million project includes a new limnology research center focused on freshwater science, aquatic ecosystems and environmental stewardship. Cabins for 4-H and Youth development residential and day camps, and additional facilities are also planned to support research, demonstration and community outreach. Completion is expected in Summer 2028.
• Research and Demonstration Farm, Olar: The $11.56 million project at SC State's Public Service and Agriculture Research and Demonstration Farm in Bamberg County began in June 2026 and is expected to be completed in August 2027.
• Recent PSA projects: SC State's Public Service and Agriculture division also recently completed new 1890 Research and Extension Centers serving the Upstate Region in Anderson, Pee Dee Region in Florence, and Catawba Region in Rock Hill, expanding the university's network of facilities supporting agricultural research, extension services and community outreach across South Carolina.

The projects extend SC State's capital investments beyond its main campus, providing facilities for agricultural research, education and outreach.

A changing campus, a long-term investment

The anticipated 2027 openings of Benjamin E. Mays Hall, Bulldog Commons, the renovated Sojourner Truth Hall and the new academic building will mark a significant expansion and modernization of SC State's facilities.

Together with the library, Honors College and other planned projects, the investments are intended to strengthen the university's academic environment, improve student experiences and support long-term enrollment growth.

To follow SC State's campus transformation, view construction updates and browse project photos,

SC State's Campus Transformation.

SC State PSA's new extension facility in Cayce. Architectural rendering of SC State PSA's new facility at the Research and Demonstration Farm in Olar.