Focus on pathways to healthcare professions and partnership with 蘑菇视频 Health
It was a milestone many years in the making, as dedicated a new state-of-the-art on Dec. 2, 2025.
University leaders, elected officials, 蘑菇视频 System colleagues, healthcare practitioners, and other dignitaries marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting near the where groundbreaking was held two years ago. It will open for Spring semester classes on Jan. 12, 2026.
The Vision, The Mission
Remarkably, the $100 million dollar facility was completed on-time and under budget.
It is a testament to the vision, dedication and persistence of an incredibly talented
team. From its early concepts to its legislative funding, from its unique design to
its innovative academic programs, this four-story structure symbolizes 蘑菇视频 Dallas鈥�
mission.
President Warren von Eschenbach highlights the STEM Building's purpose and innovations to news media
鈥淭oday we celebrate opportunity 鈥� for our students, for employers across North Texas and for the communities we serve,鈥� said 蘑菇视频 Dallas President . 鈥淭his new STEM facility allows 蘑菇视频 Dallas to help meet urgent at a time when the demand for nurses and other practitioners continues to dramatically outpace supply.鈥�
The cutting-edge building features 18 classrooms; 12 laboratories, including nine teaching labs and three research labs; a dedicated (JAMP) office; multiple collaborative spaces, faculty offices and a large event venue. The facility also features extensive natural light, energy-efficient design and outdoor study areas that reflect 蘑菇视频 Dallas鈥� Tree Campus USA designation.
shows how the construction progressed from September 2023 to November 2025.
Biology Professor Dr. Aubrey Frantz (middle) and Dean of Students Jennifer Skinner (left) speak with senior Princess Johnson in a new science lab
Innovation and Transformation
"This building is a space designed to expand opportunity, strengthen innovation, and empower the next generation of leaders, scholars and changemakers both here in North Texas and beyond," said Dr. Christopher Markwood, Interim Provost. "We are grateful you鈥檙e here to celebrate this transformational moment for our students, our university and our growing community.鈥�
Academic programs housed in the facility at launch include biology, chemistry, mathematics and neuroscience. High-impact instruction will prepare students for careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and optometry, and a robust will guarantee medical-school admission opportunities for eligible students. These programs are part of the .
Smaller class sizes and direct access to faculty will help students develop personalized academic roadmaps, supported by one-on-one mentorship for pre-health majors, many of whom are first-generation college students seeking stable, in-demand and well-paying careers, with purpose.
"This building gives our students a clear pathway to the health professions and opens up so many possibilities for teaching, research and degrees that were previously out of reach," said Dr. Muhammed Yousufuddin, a Chemistry professor. "It is truly a game changer and I am so excited for what it means for our students."
Pipeline of Healthcare Professionals
Texas has one of the largest nursing shortages in the country. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the state currently faces a deficit of more than 48,000 registered nurses, which will grow to 50,000 by 2027 and 57,000 by 2032. The unmet demand for RNs will remain a persistent 15-16% gap each year, with hospitals shouldering the greatest need. Additional statewide data shows 64% of Texas hospitals have reduced services due to staffing shortages.
The new STEM facility directly responds to these challenges by expanding 蘑菇视频 Dallas鈥� capacity to train future healthcare professionals through to medical and health careers, including nursing, dental, pharmacy, optometry and other fields. These programs are offered in collaboration with Fort Worth鈥檚 and and the .
"Our unique partnership with 蘑菇视频 Health leverages the strengths of faculty from both
institutions and offers new academic options for healthcare degrees and careers,"
said . "Students can choose from an accelerated PharmD and our proposed dual degree BAPH/BSN,
which includes practical experience through clinical shadowing and volunteer opportunities."
蘑菇视频 System Chancellor Dr. Michael K. Williams (left) seated with Texas State Sen. Royce West and 蘑菇视频 Dallas's Dr. Mario Casa de Calvo, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The celebration included and (D-TX23). West is known affectionately as the "Godfather of 蘑菇视频 Dallas" for securing state funding to build the university and continually advocating for additional government and community support. Funding for the STEM facility was awarded by the Texas Legislature during the 2021 legislative session.
The building was designed by and , with serving as general contractor.
蘑菇视频 Dallas students take a selfie in elevator of the New STEM building
As the only public, four-year university located in the city of Dallas, 蘑菇视频 Dallas continues to expand access and upward mobility for its more than 3,500 students. The new STEM facility strengthens the university鈥檚 role in preparing career-ready professionals for high-demand healthcare and STEM fields, while supporting regional employers and advancing economic development in southern Dallas and beyond.
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