TOPEKA (KSNT) – Washburn University President JuliAnn Mazachek stopped by the 27 News studio Tuesday morning to chat about recent events and upcoming campus projects.
Mazachek talked about several large projects taking place in Topeka to support the university’s continued growth. She touched on the recent opening of the new Washburn Tech campus in north Topeka and the transformation of the former Henderson Learning Resource Center into Advisor Excel Hall.
“So, we opened Washburn Tech North in August, and that’s been transformational for our Washburn Tech students and for being able to expand programs,” Mazachek said. “On the university campus, we are just about to unveil our newest renovation, which is one of our largest academic buildings on campus. We completely renovated that building and we will, we will dedicate it. It will be our new Advisors Excel Hall, and we will dedicate that on Dec. 3.”
Advisors Excel staff provided a significant donation to Washburn in 2023 to support renovation work at the Henderson Learning Resource Center. University officials announced in 2024 that the resource center would be renamed to Advisors Excel Hall as part of the overhaul of the over 50-year-old building.
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The total renovation cost for the Advisors Excel Hall project is $35 million, according to Washburn University’s website. The new hall is anticipated to reopen in January 2027.
Mazachek said that, following the dedication of Advisors Excel Hall, university officials will shift their focus to a project to support Washburn’s athletic programs through facility enhancements. She also said that work will start next summer on the Clinical Institute of Excellence that was announced earlier this year.
Mazachek also touched on recent homecoming week events, her favorite Washburn traditions, enrollment growth and welcoming in new students to the campus community. You can learn more by watching the full video above.
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