NKU begins work on an $86 million expansion of the Hermann Science Center

Northern Kentucky University officials broke ground on the expansion of the Dorothy Westerman Herrmann Science Center on Thursday during a ceremony at the Highland Heights campus. Kentucky State Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Representative Rachel Roberts attended the event along with university leaders and stakeholders.

The expansion project will expand the existing science center by 85,400 square feet, allowing several academic programs to consolidate their spaces into one state-of-the-art facility focused on STEM. The expansion will enable NKU to significantly expand laboratory and research space for students in departments spanning biological sciences and engineering technology. The scope of the project also includes renovating the existing 19,000-square-foot science center to upgrade the collaborative learning space.

“This expansion represents a significant milestone for the university,” says NKU President Cady Short-Thompson. “The new facility will provide our life sciences and engineering technology programs with a competitive advantage, supporting our growing student enrollment in these key fields, while enabling us to continue to provide an accessible, high-quality education for all. This underscores our unwavering commitment to excellence in STEM+Health education and research, positioning NKU as a regional leader in innovation, workforce alignment and academic achievement.”

Student demand for STEM-focused programs has increased by 50 percent since the original Herrmann Science Center opened in 2002. The expansion of the center will support growing enrollment in these high-demand programs and increase external funding for STEM research, improving teaching and research capacity.

The project will centralize NKU’s science programs into one modern facility with improved technology and instrumentation, creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and dedicated facilities for K-12 STEM outreach. Additionally, the center’s proximity to the Norse network will foster expanded collaboration with the region’s life sciences and advanced manufacturing industries, providing students with enhanced internships, collaborative opportunities and other hands-on learning opportunities.

Funding for this replenishment comes from a $79.9 million capital investment approved by the Kentucky General Assembly as part of the 2022-2024 biennial budget and $6 million in asset preservation funds made available by the 2022 General Assembly.

Omni Architects is the project architect and Skanska USA Building, Inc. is the construction manager.

The project is expected to be completed in spring 2027.

Northern Kentucky University