Transforming Higher Education Campuses

Riley Construction’s Blueprint for Solving Higher Education’s Most Complex Space Problems

As enrollment grows, technology evolves, and student needs shift, colleges and universities face the challenge of reimagining how higher education campuses are designed and built to thrive well into the future. This transformation is especially visible across Wisconsin, where major projects at private colleges, public universities, and teaching hospitals are redefining how academic spaces are built—balancing flexibility, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology integration.

At Riley Construction, we’re proud to be a trusted partner in some of the region’s most high-profile higher education projects. From modern science labs to collaborative learning hubs, our goal is always to help higher education leaders anticipate tomorrow’s learning needs with smart planning, consistent communication, and a dedicated management team.

Aging Infrastructure vs. Modern Demands

Many higher education campuses struggle to keep up with outdated buildings that no longer support the needs of modern learners. Riley helps academic institutions with both ongoing maintenance and strategic expansions. At Carthage College, a private college located in Kenosha, we’ve helped transform key spaces from modular dorm rooms and fitness centers to student recreation areas and a Starbucks Cafe that revitalized the library.

One key renovation was the multi-phased expansion of the David A Straz Jr. Center for the Natural and Social Sciences. This three-story, 105,000 square-foot science center increased space by 40% including VR-ready STEM classrooms and advanced nursing labs.

Delivering Results While Managing Disruption

Renovating an active higher education campus has the potential to hinder student services, faculty work and campus operations.  Riley emphasizes minimizing disruption while meeting tight schedules, often around less hectic summer hours.

Our work with Madison Area Technical College (MATC) reflects our ability to balance speed, precision and sensitivity to busy learning environments. We managed campus remodeling of the college’s Student Affairs Advising, Career, and Transfer Center to enhance student access and support services. This 26,000 square-foot renovation delivered a modern multi-use facility that serves more students and guides them toward academic and career success. Through close coordination with staff, faculty and subcontractors, Riley delivered a strategic phasing plan and proactive communications which ensured that needs were addressed quickly, and expectations were exceeded. Our partnership with MATC demonstrates our ability to quickly align with institutional goals and deliver precise execution on fast-paced, high-impact projects.

Building for Recruitment and Retention

Campus construction today is as much about experience as it is about infrastructure. Athletic facilities, wellness spaces, and other recreational amenities are a recruiting tool for higher education. In fact, for every dollar spent on academics, 50 cents is invested in amenities.[1]

Riley Construction excels at planning and building expansive recreation centers like this, including the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex, the largest Municipal recreation facility in the U.S.  At 302,000 sq. ft., the facility includes an athletic fieldhouse, indoor waterpark, swimming pool, and two NHL-sized ice rinks. These vibrant, multi-use facilities combine recreation, community engagement, and wellness programming, reflecting the mixed-use trend sweeping across higher education.

Managing Projects with Constraints

Public academic institutions navigate complex bidding and regulatory processes while private colleges juggle donor expectations and tight capital budgets. Both require transparency and precision in planning and budgeting.

Riley Construction is a collaborative partner who supports clients from preconstruction through final inspections.  Incorporating our SmartRates estimation approach, we look beyond historical data to consider client needs, project specs, and market conditions to provide a highly accurate budget estimate.  That consultative role is a critical value-add in a climate where both cost-efficiency and high return-on-investment are non-negotiable.

As colleges and universities continue to evolve, campus planning must anticipate not just today’s needs but tomorrow’s opportunities. Early involvement of a construction partner brings foresight, industry knowledge, and experience into the planning process – turning challenges into long-term advantages.

Connect with us to explore how proactive planning can shape the future of your campus. Learn more about Riley’s educational experience here or reach out to Chris Meier, LEED AP Project Executive at chrism@rileycon.com or Garrick Palay, Senior Project Manager at garrickp@rileycon.com.