Guam Community College

GCC breaks ground for new Student Center

The face of Guam Community College is changing rapidly, with the groundbreaking this morning of the college’s long-awaited new Student Center – the third new building to be constructed on the GCC campus within a two-year span. The Anthony A. Leon Guerrero Allied Health Center opened in December 2009, and the college’s new Learning Resource Center is now under construction and expected to be completed by this December. The expected completion date for the Student Center is in approximately one year – June 2011.

“While all three buildings are equally important with regard to the GCC mission to be a leader in career and technical workforce education, the Student Center is probably the most meaningful new building to our students. It will be a place for them to call their own, to congregate, to study, to celebrate their successes, and to develop their leadership skills,” said GCC President Dr. Mary Okada, who pointed out the accomplishments of several GCC students and graduates in her opening remarks.

“For those of you in the business community and in leadership positions, you know that active students make active, involved, and committed employees and community members, so look to our students at GCC to be your future managers and leaders,” Dr. Okada said.

Acting Gov. Michael Cruz, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, and former Asst. Secretary of Interior David Cohen were among the dignitaries that joined Guam Community College students, faculty, staff and administrators to celebrate the groundbreaking. Among the nearly 100 people in attendance were GCC’s 34 Practical Nursing students, who are set to graduate in December.

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo pledged her continued support to GCC, remarking on Dr. Okada’s determination to find more federal funding for GCC projects when she visits the congresswoman’ office in Washington D.C. “I’m there for you,” said Bordallo.

Situated adjacent to the LRC, the Student Center will consist of a two-story, 22,000 square foot facility that will include a plaza and student square, a student lounge, nine 1000-square foot meeting rooms, and energy efficient photovoltaics. Asanuma Corporation will construct the $3.9 million facility, which is being paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. The GCC Foundation provided the $253,423 for the A&E design by Taniguchi Ruth Makio Architects. All three of GCC’s new buildings were designed by TRMA as part of GCC’s 2005 Physical Master Plan, which projects the growth of the college over a 15-year period.

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