Malcolm X College to Expand Austin Campus with $17.5 Million Investment, Aiming to Boost Student Capacity by 50%

Malcolm X College is poised to grow its educational footprint in the Austin neighborhood with a significant $17.5 million West Campus expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Thursday morning. According to a

report by the Chicago Sun-Times

, the expansion is expected to notably increase student capacity by 50% to a total of 2,000, addressing a surge in enrollment numbers at the City Colleges.

The construction of the 3,000-square-foot Community Center for Training and Learning, formerly the West Side Learning Center, is at the heart of this development. It’s slated to function not only as an educational hub but also as an events space for the wider community. This project, a response to nearly a 17% surge in enrollments at Malcolm X College for fall 2024, sees at least $5 million in funding support from the state, with the remainder largely covered by the City Colleges. David Sanders, president of Malcolm X College,

told the Sun-Times

, “We wanted to ensure that the facility matched the quality of the education that we are providing.”

The

Chicago Tribune

reports that the new West campus will provide opportunities for students to pursue associate degrees and certificates, predominantly in the field of healthcare education. It will also house free adult education classes, improving access to services such as high school completion and literacy development. Reflecting on the importance of the project, the City Colleges of Chicago highlighted in a news release, “The entire project will also allow more people to access a City Colleges of Chicago education so they can reach their academic and career goals.”

The recent installation of biology laboratories preludes this comprehensive expansion, marking the continuation of campus development that focuses on enhancing the educational infrastructure. Joining the leaders of City Colleges at the milestone ground-breaking event will be Ray Giderof, the Executive Director of the Public Building Commission. The Public Building Commission is familiar with developing and constructing city-owned buildings, which adds an element of expertise to the project’s commencement.

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