New Academic Building
A new academic facility was constructed near the Weatherspoon Gymnasium/Lowery Fitness Center providing new, cutting-edge instructional space for Meredith’s growing communication and health, exercise & sport sciences programs. The new building was completed in July 2022.
The building is 13,636 square feet and includes a state-of-the-art recording studio, a podcast room, three editing rooms, two spacious exercise and sport sciences working classrooms, a collaboration room, and additional classrooms.
With both programs in the same building, there are opportunities for interdisciplinary work including sports communication coursework and student-based projects that span both areas of study.
“These new spaces will make the learning experience so much better with top-of-the-line equipment and enhanced instructional space,” said President Jo Allen, ’80. “Equally important is that these fields and activities are keenly connected to the ways our world is changing and preparing our students for that world,” said President Jo Allen.
The building is fully accessible and has a number of interior and exterior energy-saving features, including window and door frames that are insulated to prevent thermal transfer, roof insulation that is on average three times the basic building code, LED lighting, and a super high-efficiency central air cooling system. To add to the beauty of the building, the lobby has a water feature and fireplace. There are also patios on the front and side of the building and 18 offices for department heads in communication and health, exercise, and sport sciences, and athletic staff.
Currently, Institutional Advancement is offering opportunities for individuals and organizations to name spaces within the building, allowing donors to support students and further enhance their education at Meredith.
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Construction
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CHESS Building Opening
The Communication and Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences Building (CHESS) was completed in the summer of 2022. Grand opening events were held for faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees in the new academic year to see the spaces for both academic programs and athletic offices.
Explore the New CHESS Building
The Communication, Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences Building was completed in July in time for the beginning of the new academic year. The construction project was a true collaboration between communication, exercise and sport sciences, and athletics.
New Academic Building Progress
See the progress that has been made on the new academic building that will house communication and health, exercise, & sport sciences programs and Meredith athletic offices.
Tour Meredith's Future Academic Facility
Take a tour of the new academic facility that will be constructed near the Weatherspoon Gymnasium and Lowery Fitness Center providing new, cutting-edge instructional space for Meredith’s growing communication and health, exercise, & sport sciences programs.
News
The Meredith College Board of Trustees has reaffirmed the decision to begin construction on a new academic building that will house two of Meredith’s growing programs: communication and exercise & sports science. The new building project was paused in 2020 because of the pandemic.
The approximately 13,000 square foot building will provide instructional space for Meredith’s thriving communication and exercise & sports science programs.
The Meredith College Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a new academic building on the College’s Hillsborough Street campus in Raleigh, N.C. The approval vote occurred during the board’s spring meeting, held March 20-21, 2019.
Academic Programs
Since 2011, enrollment in Meredith’s undergraduate communication and health, exercise, and sports science programs has increased by 29% and 52% respectively. The new academic building provides instructional space for the growing programs. Specialized spaces include an agency-style classroom, a media studio, editing rooms, a human performance lab, an assessment lab, a conference room, and common areas.
Communication
The new media studio, podcast studio, editing suite and agency-style classroom give students access to innovative spaces that allow for creativity, collaboration, and flexibility in the ever-changing landscape of communication in the digital age. These classrooms are conducive to experiential learning, preparing students for their career through an applied learning method.
Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences
With a focus on health and wellness, the lab provides early access to research and clinical practices. Our goal is to inspire health, exercise and sport sciences students to become researchers and practitioners in a field of study in which women are traditionally underrepresented.
