SCC breaks ground on second Lincoln residence hall

New 230-bed facility expected to open in fall 2028

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Southeast Community College (SCC) broke ground Tuesday on its second residence hall at its Lincoln Campus, marking another step toward creating a more traditional college experience for students.

The new building, called Arbor Hall, will be located on the north side of campus, across from the Welding Technology Center.

The 175,000-square-foot residence hall will include 230 beds, individual and group study spaces, common areas and a new dining hall with seating for 300 people.

Scott Maas, SCC’s associate vice president of campus operations, said the expansion is about more than just providing students with a place to live.

“And so by having this residential experience, we’re able to infuse places for them to build communities. So through study spaces, through common areas, through the dining hall, it’s going to build more opportunities for them to build that sense of belonging to SCC,” Maas said.

Arbor Hall will feature double and quad rooms with shared living spaces, kitchens on each floor and free washers and dryers. The building will also include a grab-and-go store, multiple food stations offering rotating cuisines and a multipurpose room.

The project is part of SCC’s larger effort to transform its Lincoln Campus from primarily serving commuter students into a destination where students can live, learn and build connections outside the classroom.

Maas said the college is working to offer a residential experience that is not typically associated with community colleges.

“So it’s exciting to be on this kind of cutting edge as we continue to expand the Lincoln campus to be more of a destination campus, not just a commuter campus, but it’s someplace for you to go when we’re building this residential campus,” Maas said.

College officials say living on campus can help students become more involved in campus activities, stay connected to academic resources and build a stronger sense of community.

Arbor Hall is expected to be completed by fall 2028.