Clark Atlanta University is making major moves—literally.
For the first time in over two decades, CAU is breaking ground on a brand-new building: a state-of-the-art Student Success Center. The $12 million project is a historic development for one of the nation’s most respected HBCUs and signals a renewed investment in academic support and student achievement.
Laying the Foundation for the Future
Construction officially began this May, with university leadership and members of the CAU community gathering to celebrate the start of a new chapter. The 48,000-square-foot Student Success Center will be located in the heart of campus and is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
“This isn’t just about bricks and mortar,” said CAU President Dr. George T. French Jr. “This is about building up our students—giving them the space, the resources, and the support to reach their full potential.”
Designed for Student Success
The new center is being developed with today’s student in mind. It will be home to a range of essential services, including academic advising, tutoring, first-year experience programs, and workshops designed to build everything from study skills to time management strategies.
This centralization of resources aims to make it easier for students to find the help they need in one place, fostering a stronger sense of support from orientation to graduation.
“With the number of students we’re admitting and the caliber they’re bringing, we need to match that with infrastructure and intentional student success programming,” Dr. French noted.
Demand on the Rise
Dr. French shared that CAU recently received over 48,000 applications for just 1,200 available spots in the incoming class—a major increase that reflects the growing interest in HBCUs across the country. The average GPA of admitted students this year? A competitive 3.71.
To meet the moment, CAU is not just accepting top-tier students—they’re ensuring those students have access to top-tier resources.
Beyond the Success Center
The Student Success Center is just the beginning. CAU has additional development plans underway, including a new residence hall and an additional dining facility. These projects reflect a broader campus-wide push to reimagine the student experience, both academically and socially.
By investing in modern infrastructure, Clark Atlanta is sending a powerful message: our students deserve the best—and we’re committed to delivering it.
A Legacy Reimagined
Clark Atlanta University has always stood at the intersection of tradition and transformation. And now, with this historic construction project, CAU is reinforcing its position as a leader in innovation within the HBCU community.
From its roots as a beacon of Black higher education to its present-day role preparing future change-makers, CAU continues to evolve—brick by brick, and student by student.
