Talk of developing a new College of Engineering & Computer Science Innovation Hub began in response to exploding enrollment that showed ECS was not built to accommodate current and future space needs, says Susan Barua, dean of ECS.

“As the conversation evolved, it became clear that we needed a space that could accommodate technological innovations like autonomous systems and navigation, artificial intelligence, smart homes, alternative energy, cybersecurity, and more that were not mainstream when our buildings were constructed in the 1970s and 1990s,” she says. “An education in these areas can’t just happen in a lecture room. We need state-of-the-art research and instructional space, facilities to build and test autonomous cars and smart structures, and the flexibility to keep up with whatever innovations come next.”

In May 2022, the college learned it would receive $67.5 million from the state of California to be applied toward the construction of the ECS Innovation Hub, an exciting development that has spurred leaders to pursue additional fundraising as they move from a space feasibility study to design to groundbreaking.

“Part of designing an equitable space is ensuring that its design promotes visibility and welcomes students into the space. When people walk down the halls and through the courtyard, it would be great if they could see students and faculty collaborating on research activities and building prototypes.”

Susan Barua, Dean of ECS

“It’s very exciting. Our students deserve the kind of space where 21st-century work is taking place and one that facilitates equitable access to opportunities in these growing fields,” Barua says. “We see this as a place that will bring together computer scientists and software developers; electrical, computer, mechanical, and civil engineers; and a variety of students and faculty in other disciplines to develop new ideas and solutions. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. As driverless cars emerge, roads must be redesigned to accommodate them. The ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence must be considered. We need people with varied knowledge and perspectives working together.”

In addition to collaborative and interactive learning among ECS students and faculty, the ECS Innovation Hub will allow for the expansion of K-12 and community college partnerships. The college has been working on a multiyear strategy to increase the number of women entering computer science, and this building will increase ECS connections to its community college partners to that end.

“Part of designing an equitable space is ensuring that its design promotes visibility and welcomes students into the space. When people walk down the halls and through the courtyard, it would be great if they could see students and faculty collaborating on research activities and building prototypes,” Barua says.

Meeting Orange County’s Tech Talent Needs

Currently, Orange County faces a shortage of qualified and diverse job candidates, but expansion of space and opportunities through the ECS Innovation Hub would allow the college to be a major player in preparing Orange County’s future workforce for highly skilled and technical careers.

Within the past decade, enrollment has grown by 147 percent within ECS – from 1,900 to 4,700 students. Projections show the college growing as much as 6 percent annually, which could mean 8,000 students will enroll for the 2028-2029 academic year. With 82 percent of ECS alumni staying in the region after graduation, the innovation hub has the potential to address the region’s need for software developers; cybersecurity, computer hardware, and tech professionals; and specialized engineers.

“When we think about the future of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, EV design, cybersecurity, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, this innovation hub is an investment-worthy equalizer for educational opportunity and a workforce multiplier that Orange County and our region need now,” says Michael Karg, executive director of development.

Currently, ECS and University leaders are reviewing the feasibility study they conducted for the proposed hub in 2019 to determine whether any approaches need to change before they launch into design. The University plans to bring in a design team in the spring 2023 semester to launch the next phase of the project, which will require input from many campus, community, industry, and government stakeholders.

For more information or to engage with the ECS Innovation Hub, please reach out to Executive Director of Development Michael Karg at mkarg@fullerton.edu.