KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 5, 2026

Across both Kennesaw State University campuses, new facilities are creating spaces where students can live, collaborate, compete, and innovate, while philanthropic support is providing the resources to turn ambitious ideas into reality. 

Guided by the Taking Flight strategic plan and Facilities Master Plan, the University is investing in the people, places, and partnerships that will fuel research excellence, enrich campus life, and strengthen Kennesaw State's impact for generations to come.

A major step was the opening of the Robin and Doug Shore Innovation Center. Situated along Technology Way near the entrance of the Marietta Campus, the center is designed to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship, foster collaboration across disciplines, and translate research into real-world solutions that benefit communities beyond campus. It also serves as the home of the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship Center, a unit of the Michael J. Coles College of Business, and the Office of Research’s Center for Interactive Media.

Across campus, near the Engineering Technology Center, another structure has transformed the landscape. Officially opened in June, the 12,000-square-foot Hornet Hub serves as the newest collaboration space for KSU’s award-winning student competition teams, including the Night Owl Racing team, aerial robotics competition team, and hydraulic bike team, among others. And on the Kennesaw Campus, the University’s newest residence hall – The Summit II –houses 460 first-year students since opening for the Fall 2026 semester. The nearly 97,000-square-foot residence hall sits on the south end of the Kennesaw Campus adjacent to The Summit I student housing, which opened in 2022.

The addition of The Summit II brings KSU’s total number of residential communities to 11, with a total capacity of more than 6,300 beds across the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. Notably, construction on the newest residence hall wrapped both ahead of schedule and under budget, said Lesley Netter-Snowden, executive vice president and chief business officer.

“Housing and Residence Life is an auxiliary department, meaning it does not receive state appropriations or tuition revenue, and it must generate its own revenue to cover expenses,” she said. “The project savings will allow the auxiliary departments to reallocate that funding to other capital projects supporting the strategic plan, specifically strengthening the student experience and enhancing our physical environment.”

As the University maintains a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, external funding continues to support key priorities across the institution. In 2025, KSU raised more than $47 million, including $14 million added to its endowment. In total, 541 endowments now benefit scholarships, student programs, research, and KSU Athletics. These efforts have driven significant momentum for The Campaign for KSU, the largest and most comprehensive fundraising initiative in the University’s history. Launched in 2023 with an initial goal of $200 million, the campaign has already surpassed expectations, raising more than $227 million to date.

In April, KSU saw its most successful Giving Day, raising more than $400,000. Now in its third year, the event attracted a record 2,116 individual contributors, many of whom were alumni, demonstrating the continued momentum of KSU’s culture of generosity.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.