Higher Education Construction: At an Inflection Point
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
Higher education campuses across the country are facing a defining moment. Aging facilities, evolving academic models, and tighter funding environments are colliding with rising expectations for safety, sustainability, and student experience. For institutions, the question is no longer simply whether to build or renovate — it’s how to deliver projects that support learning while campuses remain active, occupied, and operational. Higher education construction is fundamentally different from most commercial work. Campuses are living environments. Classes continue. Research continues. Students, faculty, and staff move through spaces daily. Construction teams must navigate academic calendars that don’t shift, limited laydown areas, and multiple stakeholders — all while maintaining safety and continuity.
“Campus projects demand a higher level of coordination and foresight,” says Hank Stewart, Construction Executive at CMC. “You’re not just managing a jobsite — you’re working within a community that has its own rhythms, priorities, and responsibilities.”
From Low-Bid to Long-Term Value
Across the industry, higher education owners are shifting away from purely low-bid decision-making toward approaches that emphasize long-term value. Early contractor involvement, thoughtful phasing strategies, and lifecycle-based budgeting are becoming essential tools rather than optional enhancements.
Renovation, in particular, is playing a critical role. Many institutions are choosing to modernize and extend the life of existing buildings rather than pursue full replacement — especially when disruption to campus life must be minimized.
“Renovation on an active campus requires a completely different mindset,” explains Garrison Abner, Sr. Project Manager at CMC. “You have to plan every phase around how the space is actually used — not just how it looks on drawings. That means understanding schedules, circulation paths, and what can and can’t be interrupted.”
What Defines Success on Campus Projects Today
Successful higher education projects are measured by more than cost and schedule. They are defined by outcomes that protect the institution’s mission:
Safe environments for students, faculty, staff, and visitors
Minimal disruption to learning, research, and campus operations
Transparent budgets grounded in real-world constraints
Flexible spaces that support evolving educational needs
Construction teams that understand campus culture and expectations
Execution matters — but context matters just as much.
“The best campus projects are the ones where the construction process feels almost invisible to the people using the space,” Stewart adds. “That only happens when planning, communication, and collaboration are treated as priorities from day one.”
Building for the Next Generation of Learning
Higher education facilities play a direct role in how students learn, collaborate, and engage with their institutions. Construction teams have a responsibility to approach these environments with care, precision, and respect.
When done right, higher education construction doesn’t just deliver buildings. It supports institutional goals, protects campus communities, and invests in the future of learning.
How CMC Is Supporting Higher Education Campuses
At CMC Development & Construction, higher education work is approached with a clear understanding of campus complexity. Our teams focus on proactive planning, constructability, and collaboration to deliver projects that align with academic missions and operational realities.
CMC supports higher education institutions through:
Experience building and renovating active, occupied campuses
Detailed phasing and logistics planning to maintain continuity
Transparent budgeting and schedule alignment
Strong collaboration with owners, designers, and campus stakeholders
A consistent focus on safety, quality, and long-term value
“Our goal is always to build with the campus in mind — not just the project,” says Abner. “When we understand how a space supports learning, we can deliver better outcomes for everyone involved.”
As higher education continues to evolve, construction partners must evolve with it. Thoughtful planning, early collaboration, and respect for campus environments will define the next generation of successful projects — and that’s the standard CMC is committed to delivering
Planning a renovation or new construction project on an active campus requires the right partner — one who understands academic environments, operational constraints, and long-term institutional goals.
If your institution is evaluating an upcoming higher education project, CMC Development & Construction is ready to support early planning, feasibility, and delivery strategies that minimize disruption and maximize value.
Let’s start the conversation. 📩 Contact our team to discuss your campus project.