Long-awaited buildings will improve student experience

The Valley Academic and Cultural Center and Academic Hall provide a fresh facelift on an aging campus.

Staff Editorial

After 20 years of anticipation and 10 years of construction, Valley College introduced two new buildings to its campus. These ambitious projects showcase the continuous growth and modernization of this 75-year-old campus.

The Valley Academic and Cultural Center and the Academic Hall have had an unstable upbringing. The VACC, in particular, has been in construction for a decade, leaving students and staff skeptical if the buildings were going to open at all.

Against all odds, the two buildings opened at the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester, creating a sense of excitement and energy.

“I want to take a cinema class, and I saw the huge room they have, and I am excited for it,” said student Navarre Parks.

The two buildings feature modern technology, giving students and professors better tools for teaching and learning. Flashy projectors, reliable computer rooms and accessible desks and chairs ensure a comfortable learning experience for students.

Both structures offer specialized equipment for their majors as well. The Academic Hall supplies its students with medical practice equipment like gurneys and dummies, and the VACC has four new theaters, a broadcasting room with soundboards and mics, dance studios and a professional newsroom. 

This is a massive step up from the older buildings, which have been around since the late 1950s and early ‘60s. Many of them lacked proper bathrooms and working air conditioners, much less updated computers and specialized equipment. Students need newer resources in order to succeed.

The buildings also foster a sense of community. There are more places for visitors and students to socialize, creating a lively atmosphere in and around the buildings. For example, both buildings feature lounges with couches scattered throughout, giving students a place to converse or study.

Around the VACC, skaters glide on the rails and the large steps on the east side of the building. And at the Academic Hall, students frequently hang out at stepped seating near the main entrance, completing their homework on their laptops.

This sense of community elevates the college experience. It allows students to bond with their peers, who they otherwise would not have interacted with. The new additions make the campus feel more connected.

The school did not just lay a foundation for new facilities, but also laid a foundation for Valley’s expanding academic community.