We seem to be in an era of rapid change. Shifts that started with the pandemic have been compounded by events over the last couple of months impacting how institutions of higher education function. What’s on our clients’ minds these days?
Our clients are always trying to make the best possible long-term decisions for their institutions and their students. In times of uncertainty, the pressure is certainly greater; everyone is looking to understand not only what changes they might be facing, but also how those changes impact programs and facilities. Because we spend a lot of time thinking about campus facilities and space utilization, we’re working with multiple clients to navigate the complexity of planning for the future in an uncertain climate. We want to help our clients develop resilient, flexible, adaptable campus plans that can evolve along with changing conditions. It’s true at the campus scale, but it also applies to the building scale or even the classroom scale.
Let’s start with an obvious uncertainty — money. What’s happening on the ground in terms of institutional funding?
Recent federal policy shifts have created significant uncertainty about grant funding and allocation. Grant funding is a huge driver of how much and what kind of research a university will pursue, so any change that delays or reduces that funding has direct, immediate impacts on faculty as well as undergraduate and graduate students. For example, this Spring 2025 term, we’re hearing about hiring freezes and PhD program offers being rescinded in the face of funding uncertainty.
Our state legislators continue evaluating budgets for state-funded programs and capital improvements, and indications are that the coming budget cycles may be lean, with budget funding shifting to other state priorities.
I expect to see a greater focus on datadriven decision making. We’ll also see increased pressure for efficiency as states re-prioritize funding streams with
better in this regard due to inbound migration to our southern states. The impact will also vary widely across the spectrum; larger, flagship, or land-grant universities might continue to attract a healthy number of applicants while mid-sized and smaller institutions with fewer degree programs might languish.
Institutions are preparing for this demographic shift by targeting nontraditional students, retooling degree programs to accommodate a changing market, or bridging the transition from K-12 to college by offering college credit options to younger students. Some statewide systems are considering consolidating campuses to reduce expenses and maximize the use of its facilities. In this context, data-driven decision making is paramount, and is a good way to support our higher education clients is by assisting with high quality space utilization studies – at the building scale, campus scale, or even the system scale.
Amidst all of this change, what spaces are you being asked to design lately?
Let’s see – we’re seeing increased requests for residence halls, athletic facilities, libraries, and cyber security spaces these days. We’ve seen recent waves in STEM fields, health education, and advanced manufacturing training
spaces as well. Institutions are very attuned to facilities that help elevate their campus brand identity and contribute to campus culture. Spaces for collaboration and informal learning are in high demand campus wide.
I anticipate an increase in projects related to campus-wide health and wellness in the near future. Proposed cuts to telehealth will mean that more students have to be seen on campus, in person. Campus health departments will feel that impact.
Of course, while we’re looking at all of these changes – those we’ve seen coming, those that are curve-balls, those that are the result of generational shifts, and even the changes we don’t see coming yet – the same foundations of good design and planning still apply. We’ll continue to work with our clients to deliver flexible, adaptable spaces that will allow them to change along with the times. It’s a challenge, sure, but it’s also a continued opportunity to build better campuses that will serve this generation of students, and the next, and the next.
Meet Shawn
Shawn Sowers is an architect and strategic leader with over 25 years of experience shaping dynamic learning environments and advancing design excellence. As Principal and Higher Education Practice Leader at LS3P, she serves as a firmwide resource for thought leadership, business development, and visionary planning for higher education campuses and facilities. Her expertise extends across multiple project types including STEM, health sciences, and professional schools. Passionate about creating innovative spaces that inspire learning and collaboration, Shawn integrates strategic vision with technical precision to deliver transformative projects that elevate institutions and communities alike.
Shawn, who holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from Ball State University, is actively involved in professional and community engagement. A frequent presenter on topics related to campus design and planning, Sowers, is a member of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education, the Society of College and University Planning, and Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women and is a board member of the West Raleigh Alliance.