State-of-the-art Student Success Center coming to UH Mānoa

A $57-million renovation of a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa library built in 1956 will transform the four-story, 115,000-square-foot building into a state-of-the-art Student Success Center.

Work on the major renovation project began in June 2023 and is expected to be completed in time for the start of the fall 2025 semester.

The Student Success Center will be a hub of student activity that will encourage students to stay on campus, between classes and after hours. Three floors of the air conditioned building will be open space for student gathering, studying and socializing with comfortable seating, tables and ample electrical outlets.

There will also be more than 30 conference rooms of various sizes for group study along with on-site academic advising departments, a computer lab and Student Store for food and beverages.

“This state-of-the-art center will have a significant impact on the student experience at UH Mānoa,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno, an early champion of the project. “It will be very exciting when it opens as students will have a brand new facility where they can study, collaborate, learn from one another, take advantage of convenient academic services, grab a coffee and just be with each other.”

The Student Success Center will be located next to Hemenway Hall, close to the Campus Center and the Warrior Recreation Center. It is also next to the campus’s main city bus stop and right across University Avenue from the Residences for Innovative Student Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurship center and student housing facility opening in fall 2023.

“We really want to create an environment and a place where students can thrive, and I think that’s really what is most important for us in this collaboration,” said Aaron Yamasaki, vice president division manager at Swinerton Builders, the design builder.

The project includes a rooftop photovoltaic system to generate renewable energy and help as the renovation project strives to be LEED Silver certified. A modest step towards meeting the 10-campus systemʻs goal of zero carbon emissions by 2035.

The center will house the College of Social Sciences Digital Studios and feature a large study space on the first floor that can host and livestream campus events. It will also be the new home of the award winning University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Esports team. The team will have a modern gaming room to practice, compete and livestream competitions to the world. There will also be facilities for casual gaming available to all students