With pyrotechnics behind Hudson Valley Community College’s leadership as they enthusiastically shoveled ceremonial dirt, it’s hard to say who is most excited about the college’s north campus expansion. The project officially kicked off last week with a ceremonial groundbreaking.

According to HVCC, almost 1,500 students travel from north of the Twin Bridges into Troy to attend school on the college’s main campus. With the creation of the new Stem Education Center, they won’t have to. Once complete, the center will be home to state of the art labs.

“What this facility does, it gives these students an opportunity to stop right here in Saratoga and begin to experience the ability to grow,” says Roger Ramsammy, Hudson Valley Community College’s president.

Sarah Holmes, an incoming clean energy management major, couldn’t be more thrilled. She is one of the many students who travels from Saratoga County to the school’s main campus, a trip that takes about a half an hour on a good day.

“It was a lot of different exits. I don’t know. I don’t really like going on all these different highways and stuff. It adds a lot of extra stress,” says Holmes.

She’s a new driver and while she hates the commute, she’s looking forward to studying at HVCC. She participated in the college’s Tec SMART program during high school, giving her the opportunity to already take college courses.

“It really just puts it in perspective that my future is just starting and through Hudson Valley, I’m going to be able to really take initiative,” says Holmes.

Once completed, Holmes will be able to take courses right next door to where she studied in Tec SMART. She believes the new campus will create opportunities not only for her, but generations of future students.

“I think honestly a lot more people are going to take this opportunity, especially since it’s right off the Northway,” says Holmes.

Construction is expected to be complete for the Fall 2023 semester.