KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 11, 2026

Students returning to Kennesaw State University’s Marietta Campus this fall will find more dining options, new bus routes, and several campus improvements designed to enhance the overall student experience.

Leading the updates is the opening of the Robin and Doug Shore Innovation Center. Officially opened in April, the new facility serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research while also providing students with a place to study, gather, and recharge between classes.

Because the Shore Innovation Center is centrally located on campus, it creates a natural gathering place for students to study, collaborate, and connect,” said Lee White, associate vice president of business services. “It was thoughtfully designed to be more than just a building; it’s an inviting hub where students can come together, engage with one another, and feel connected to the campus community.”

Inside the Shore Innovation Center, students will discover a new retail concept, The MRKT, which will offer Haymaker Coffee and Dunkin' products and pastries. It will also feature fresh grab-and-go meals from EatKSU and a milkshake machine. Students will also find two new dining concepts inside the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center. The Local Spot, located next to Dunkin', will feature a rotating lineup of local restaurants, while High Roller Sushi will replace the previous sushi concept with fresh, elevated menu offerings.

"The No. 1 goal is to respond to student feedback," White said. "Marietta students want more variety and more options, and they want experiences that are unique to their campus."

KSU’s Campus Services gathered feedback through dining surveys, conversations with students, and regular meetings with the Student Government Association. The input helped shape new concepts unique to the Marietta Campus.

Getting around campus will also become easier this fall with the launch of a new Big Owl Bus circulator route that continuously loops around the Marietta Campus Monday through Friday. The shuttle will make it easier for students to travel between academic buildings without having to walk across campus between classes.

"We've never offered that service before in Marietta," White said. "It creates more mobility options around campus and helps students get from one end of campus to the other more effectively and efficiently."

Students driving to the Marietta Campus will also benefit from approximately 300 additional parking spaces created through lot reconfigurations, along with resurfaced parking lots that improve both functionality and the appearance of campus. Classroom renovations are also underway in the Architecture Building, Atrium Building, and the Engineering Technology Center.

Looking ahead, White said the university will continue listening to students as future improvements are planned.

"We can't wait to welcome them back to campus this fall and see everything that we've been working on over the last several months," she said.

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photo by Darnell Wilburn Jr.

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.