Harris-Stowe State University has broken ground on a $62.3 million science and technology building, a project university and civic leaders say signals a turning point for the historically Black institution and its role in St. Louis’ economic future.
The four-story, 82,443-square-foot STEM center will rise on the university’s Laclede Avenue campus and is among the largest capital investments in Harris-Stowe’s history. University officials said the facility is designed to expand academic offerings, research capacity and workforce training in fields that are among the region’s fastest-growing.
The project reflects Harris-Stowe’s broader effort to strengthen pathways into high-demand STEM careers while positioning the university as a driver of opportunity and innovation in the St. Louis region. Elected officials and university leaders said the building builds on decades of partnerships across the city and state.
State Sens. Brian Williams and Steven Roberts pointed to the university’s long-standing collaborations with public and private partners. They said the new facility will help prepare students for careers that support regional growth. Speakers at the Friday event described the project as an investment not only in campus infrastructure, but in talent development and shared learning environments meant to benefit future generations of students.
“We are not simply breaking ground on a building — we are ushering in a bold new era for Harris-Stowe State University,” one speaker said during the ceremony.
Valerie Patton, chair of the Harris-Stowe Board of Regents and honorary chair of the university’s capital campaign, called the groundbreaking a monumental moment for the institution, crediting years of planning, leadership and support for bringing the project to this stage.
Dr. Freddie E. Wills, vice president for STEM initiatives and research partnerships, said the building is expected to play a key role in strengthening the region’s STEM workforce. He said the facility will help prepare students to step into some of the area’s most critical jobs while contributing to economic growth in the city.
“The STEM building will contribute to upward mobility and economic growth for St. Louis citizens,” Wills said.
Harris-Stowe President LaTonia Collins Smith said the new facility represents opportunity, innovation and a long-term commitment to student success at the university. She said the building will feature advanced laboratories, maker spaces and flexible classrooms designed to mirror real-world work environments.
“This new STEM building will transform how our students learn,” Collins Smith said. “They will continue to graduate career-ready for high-demand industries.”
Collins Smith also emphasized the importance of expanding diversity in STEM fields, noting that science and technology careers are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying in the nation. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM occupations are expected to grow at roughly twice the rate of non-STEM jobs over the next decade, even as students from underserved communities remain underrepresented.
“Harris-Stowe is changing that reality,” she said, noting that 81% of the university’s STEM graduates are women.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said Harris-Stowe has long served as an anchor institution in the community and described the STEM center as an investment in the city’s future.
“STEM is our future,” Spencer said, adding that careers in science and technology can open doors for students while strengthening the local economy.
Following the outdoor ceremony, attendees viewed architectural renderings of the planned building. A construction timeline has not yet been set.