Project
College of Agricultural, Human, and Environmental Sciences
About the College
The College of Agricultural, Human, and Environmental Sciences embraces a mission of teaching, research, and public service that is rooted into the founding of Southern University as an A&M College. The College offers programs that prepare students for careers in agriculture, food, fiber natural resources, and consumer and family science.
Degree Programs
- UNDERGRADUATE - Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Business, Plant and Animal Sciences, Sustainable Agriculture, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Fashion Merchandising, Textiles and Design, Child and Family Studies, Food and Human Nutrition, Urban Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources
- Graduate: Urban Forestry
- PHD: Urban Forestry, Environmental Toxicology
- Post-Baccalaureate: Dietetic Internship
The expansion and modernization of the College of Agricultural Sciences will directly support significant enrollment growth and evolving academic needs. By realigning instructional, research, and administrative spaces, the project enhances the learning and teaching environment while positioning the College for long-term academic and industry relevance.
New and upgraded facilities will strengthen experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and applied research, creating expanded opportunities for students and faculty to engage with industry, government, and community partners.
- South endzone expansion/New locker rooms for women’s sports
- Health, nutrition, and indoor practice facilities
- Parking facility, rooftop restaurant, and shops
- SU Sports Hall-of-Fame Museum
- New locker rooms for tennis and volleyball teams
- Coach and staff offices
The College of Agricultural Sciences is currently undergoing major transitions to support planned enrollment growth from 400 to 1,000 students. This project responds to those changes by providing new instructional and research spaces as faculty and administrative offices relocate to the renovated A.O. Williams building and Fisher Hall transitions to a STEAM-focused laboratory facility.
The project will provide:
- New classroom space to support increased enrollment
- Updated research facilities aligned with STEAM and agricultural science
- A fifteen-acre experimental vineyard
- State-of-the-art USDA meat laboratories
- A modern greenhouse and plant science complex
Together, these improvements ensure the College has the capacity and resources needed to support advanced teaching, research, and workforce development in agricultural sciences.
| USDA Meat Lab Expansion | 1300 sf |
| Experimental Vineyard | 15 acres |
| Greenhouse Complex | 64,000 sf |
| Temporary Labs | |
| AO Williams Renovation | 31,000 sf |
Cost Estimate
| IMPROVEMENT | COST | SECURED | NEEDED | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USDA Meat Lab | $1,900,000 | $1,900,000 | $0 | |
| Experimental Vineyard | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $0 | |
| Greenhouse Complex | $3,500,000 | $3,500,000 | $0 | |
| Research Lab Complex | $8,000,000 | $8,000,000 | $0 | |
| AO Williams Renovation | $4,965,000 | $0 | $4,965,000 | |
| Total Construction Costs | $21,365,000 | $16,400,000 | $4,965,000 | |
| Endowment Programming | $5,150,000 | $75,000 | $5,075,000 | |
| Total Project Costs | $26,515,000 | $16,475,000 | $10,040,000 |
Most HBCUs have low resources as it relates to research and development. This requires us to be innovative and creative to acquire the means of producing breakthroughs that improve the quality of life on this planet. This campaign is an opportunity for both the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Environmental Sciences to grow our capacity to serve the state of Louisiana and beyond through our tripartite mission areas of research, cooperative extension services, and our students in our academic unit.
ORLANDO F. MCMEANS, Ph.D.
Earning a college education is one of the most important steps to create a foundation for a successful career in any field. Southern feels like home, and it is a place to strive for greatness. It is important to give to Southern University in order to continue the legacy of preparing future leaders. My goal is to pursue law school in the future with a focus in maritime law.