Kirkwood Community College is undergoing a renovation on the third floor of Cedar Hall, which is to be completed in early November, to add a new suite for the Academic Affairs Administration and support staff.
Six years ago, Academic Affairs was temporarily relocated from the first floor of Iowa Hall to Room 3067 in Cedar Hall.
“Six years later, it was time to find a final home,” said Troy McQuillen, vice president of Facilities, Public Safety and Operations.
Upon completion of the renovation, the entire Academic Affairs team will all be in the same suite, whereas before, its members were spread across Kirkwood’s campus.
“This new space will allow the entire AA leadership team to be within one space, leading to better collaboration and operational efficiencies,” McQuillen said.
This is important because the Academic Affairs team oversees Kirkwood’s instruction and curriculum.
Jennifer Bradley, vice president of Academic Affairs, believes that the new suite will improve the operations of the department.
“By working side by side, we can strengthen communication, improve efficiency and provide even better support for our students, faculty and institutional priorities,” Bradley said.
Many students walking by only saw the evidence of construction but were not aware of what was happening. For education major Cade Beck, this was no different.
“I walk by the construction every day,” he said. “I always wonder what is going on, but I’ve never asked anyone. I’m glad that they keep updating things around Kirkwood, though.”
There is an effort to not let the renovation process impact any students or their learning environment.
The space where the new suite will be located was formerly a combination of offices and old classrooms. A necessary part of the renovation process is to tear down parts of these former rooms to create the space required for the new suite.
As for where the current Academic Affairs suite is, the space there will remain empty for now. McQuillen said he believes that there will be another department at Kirkwood that will want to take over the suite.
It is projected that the renovation will be complete around the beginning of November.
“We’re pleased with the outcomes of this project and happy to have secured a permanent space for the Academic Affairs leadership team,” said McQuillen.
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