Essex County College first hired DMR to examine the feasibility of implementing a one stop center at their Newark campus. The Newark campus services 7,000 students and nearly all programs and spaces are located in one 500,000 SF building known as the campus megastructure.
The one stop model consolidates numerous student services, such as advising, enrollment services, financial aid and bursar into one location, providing a more efficient and frictionless experience for students. To ensure implementing the program was feasible within existing space in the megastructure, DMR met with stakeholders, examined existing space and required adjacencies, developed the program, and prepared preliminary cost estimates, concepts and designs.
When the project was determined to be feasible, DMR was hired to complete the construction documents for the interior renovation which will renovate 19,000 SF near the main entrance to the megastructure. The One Stop Center will include 6,500 SF of open, flexible space for gathering, waiting and four one stop kiosks, with dedicated private space for enrollment services, student advising, financial aid and bursar strategically placed for efficient operations and visual connection, while also ensuring necessary privacy. A 935 SF Welcome Center, which will extend into the existing corridor, will serve as the entry point and information hub, and will include school branding and a full-height LED display wall, instilling pride and excitement for both current and prospective students. The one stop center seeks to invoke positive feelings in a location where sometimes sensitive interactions take place.
An adjacent, 2,280 SF dedicated testing center includes 45 desks for exam administration.