HURST, Texas — The next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals and engineers will have more room to explore, experiment and discover at Tarrant County College Northeast.
TCC leaders and community guests broke ground today on a $225 million project that will bring a state-of-the-art science building to the campus and renovate nearly 140,000 square feet of existing facilities. The improvements will provide more than 224,000 square feet of new and modernized educational space.
The investment comes as the state faces growing demand for a highly skilled workforce. The Texas Workforce Commission projects nearly 223,000 additional high-wage, high-demand jobs in professional, scientific and technical services by 2032, underscoring the importance of readying students for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“The future of North Texas depends on people who can solve complex problems and turn ideas into breakthroughs,” said TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc. “Whether our students aspire to become nurses, engineers, researchers or physicians, their journey often begins in a science classroom.”
State Rep. Salman Bhojani (District 92), who joined college leaders and community members for the celebration, commemorated the occasion with a resolution.
Bhojani: “It is my honor to present this resolution recognizing Tarrant County College and celebrating the groundbreaking of its new science building. This investment represents a meaningful commitment to educational opportunity, workforce development and the future of our North Texas community. Congratulations on this exciting milestone.”
The project’s centerpiece — an 84,438-square-foot, three-story building on the northwest side of campus near State Highway 26 — will feature specialized labs for anatomy and physiology, physics, earth science, biology, microbiology, chemistry and organic chemistry.
Scheduled to welcome students in fall 2028, the building also will offer quiet study nooks, collaborative learning areas and dedicated spaces for faculty-student interaction.
Funded through TCC’s voter-approved 2019 bond program, the project will elevate existing science and health science facilities to current educational and industry standards.
“When our community approved the 2019 bond program, voters invested in the future of Tarrant County College and the students we serve,” said TCC board President Jeannie Deakyne. “Today, we’re bringing that investment to life — creating educational opportunities that will benefit generations of Trailblazers and help meet the workforce needs of North Texas.”
For Northeast faculty and students, the new building promises an experience that links classroom instruction and practical application.
“There’s something powerful about the moment a student moves from learning a scientific concept to seeing it come alive in a laboratory,” said interim Northeast President Kirsten Jakowitsch. “These facilities will give students more opportunities to test ideas and build the confidence and skills to pursue their goals.”
Perkins & Will is the architect, with Byrne Potere AECOM/Hunt, a joint venture, overseeing construction.
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students each year, offering accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers and university transfer. Across multiple campuses and TCC Connect — a fully online learning option — the College partners with more than 1,200 employers to help build the workforce that drives North Texas forward. Bold Steps. Better Futures.