KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 4, 2026

Kennesaw State University has officially opened The Summit II, a residence hall designed to foster connection, belonging, and student success while adding a new on-campus housing option for first-year students.

The ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 4 marked the completion of the 462-bed facility, which will welcome its first residents at the start of the Fall 2026 semester. Located in the heart of the Kennesaw Campus, Summit II expands KSU's residential community while advancing the University's commitment to providing an exceptional student experience both inside and outside the classroom.

“Today is a celebration of investing in student success and creating an environment that helps students thrive from the moment they arrive on campus,” KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig said. “A student's sense of connection can shape every aspect of their college experience. When students feel supported and engaged, they are more likely to persist, achieve their goals, and make the most of their time at Kennesaw State.”

The nearly 97,000-square-foot residential facility was guided by three core principles – community, wellness, and identity – and features common areas, study rooms, an outdoor courtyard that connects with neighboring Summit I, and a central campus location with views of Kennesaw Mountain and Mickey Dunn Stadium. The project also reflects the priorities outlined in Kennesaw State’s “Taking Flight” strategic plan by enhancing the student experience and supporting student engagement.

Among those gathered for an up-close look at the new residence hall were Kennesaw State University Foundation Trustees, representatives from the University System of Georgia, and Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell. Following Schwaig’s remarks, Board of Trustees Vice Chair Debbie Pike and Kennesaw State student Zoe Gagnon spoke about the significance of the project.

“This new residence hall represents more than a building,” said Chris Bruno, executive director of Housing and Residence Life. “It reflects our continued commitment to student success, community, and creating spaces where Owls can live, learn, and thrive.”

Summit II was developed through a public-private partnership between Kennesaw State University and the KSU Foundation, continuing a longstanding collaboration that has supported the growth of campus facilities for more than two decades.

“The KSU Foundation is proud to support this project that will further enhance our students’ experience while attending Kennesaw State University,” Pike said. “I am excited to see another 460 first-year students living on campus and benefiting from this special space that will build community for years to come.”

Gagnon, a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in French, spoke about the transformative impact that on-campus living has had on her own college journey. Entering her third year working for Housing and Residence Life, Gagnon will serve as Summit II’s initial community assistant.

“At Kennesaw State, we do not just build rooms – we build communities,” Gagnon said. “We are opening the door to new opportunities, new friendships, and new experiences for generations of Owls to come. I am honored to be part of that story, and I cannot wait to see the impact this community will have on our students.”

Construction partners on the project were architect Perkins&Will, program manager JLL, and general contractor JE Dunn Construction. The professionals who helped design, manage, and construct Summit II included eight Kennesaw State alumni, creating a full-circle moment as they built a home for future generations of Owls.

Among the alumni present at the event was Jean Heo ’22, who previously served as a resident assistant at Hornet Village on KSU’s Marietta Campus. She interned with JE Dunn Construction while completing her degree in civil engineering, joining the company full time after graduating. Heo had just completed another project in Tennessee when she first heard of construction for The Summit II. She immediately volunteered her services to the project manager, who she had interned under at KSU.

“I became involved right after we laid the foundations for this structure, and I’ve been able to watch it grow from the ground up,” Heo said. “You obviously feel a lot of Owl pride, but you also feel pride for working with a contractor that wants to do projects like this and help our community grow.”

Joining Heo at the ribbon cutting was fellow alumnus A.J. Clanton ’25, who also interned at JE Dunn Construction before earning his construction management degree and accepting a full-time position with the company.

“Over the past year and a half, I’ve spent a good part of my life on this project, and hearing people speak about how beautiful the building is and what it does for the campus is a great feeling,” Clanton said. “Kennesaw State planted the construction management seed in me, because I never thought I would be doing this. It’s great to be able to give back to the people who did so much for my life.”

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.