ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Albany State University (ASU) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its New Early Learning Center and Residential Hall, which are designed to offer the community affordable childcare and housing for ASU students.

On Wednesday, August 27, ASU celebrated the opening of two new buildings, the Dr. Portia Holmes Shields Learning Center and Residence Hall 7, a new 64-bed residential hall.

The learning center, named after ASU’s first female president, Dr. Portia Holmes Shields, will offer safe and affordable childcare for the ASU campus and the broader Albany Community, ASU said. The building, located near the Jones Brothers Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Complex, will serve as a hands-on learning hub for students in education and health professions programs.

Shields reflected on the university’s progress and the significance of this milestone.

“While we made this beautiful campus, we prioritized preparing our future through programs including early learning, which we believe is essential to our future,” Shields said. “I’m delighted that this priority continues and is a part of the curriculum.”

Residence Hall 7, a 30,682-square-foot residential facility with 64 beds, will be located on ASU’s East Campus. It will provide housing for junior and senior honors students.

Sophomore honors student Mykala Eckler said she is already looking forward to the possibility of moving into the dorm next year.

“They want us to come here and grow and become future leaders, so putting in that work for their future leaders lets me know that this is where I’m supposed to be,” Eckler said. “It’s a great university.”

Students have moved into Residence Hall 7 for the fall semester. The new early learning center is projected to be fully operational by the end of this semester.

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