Delivering Higher Education Projects Through Program Management
This article is part two of a series exploring how Freese and Nichols supports colleges and universities through campus planning and program management. Part one focused on how thoughtful planning lays the foundation for long-term growth and aligns facilities with academic goals. This second part highlights how program management brings those plans to life by guiding institutions through complex capital projects with structure, consistency and a focus on results.
Delivering a vibrant campus experience requires careful coordination, technical expertise and a deep understanding of institutional goals. As colleges and universities face growing complexity and tighter budgets, program management supports projects from concept to completion with confidence. Freese and Nichols manages budgets, schedules and delivery so leaders can stay focused on their mission of education.
Central Texas College
Central Texas College marked the beginning of our journey supporting higher education institutions through program management. Through an ongoing services agreement, we supported master plan updates, new facilities, renovations and infrastructure projects beginning in 2000. Work included a nursing building, planetarium, library expansion and drainage studies.
“Central Texas College was essentially a program management effort in everything but the name,” said Rich Heine, Construction Management Leader. “We performed overall collaboration, the design and construction management. That work gave us the foundation to compete for larger, formal program management contracts.”
Expanding Our Reach in Higher Education
Houston Community College
Building on the experience at Central Texas College, Houston Community College (HCC) entrusted us with managing a $425 million facilities bond program spanning three colleges and nine buildings.
“HCC was the first time we officially carried the title of program manager,” said Rich. “It launched everything that followed.”
Working directly with each college president and their staff, our team helped scope projects, refine priorities and balance budgets with needs. We coordinated architects and contractors, managed vendors, led weekly owner-architect-contractor meetings and conducted daily site inspections.
A major part of the effort involved building the right team. We partnered with local professionals and small-business MWBE (Minority/Women Business Enterprise) firms who brought knowledge of the community and strong ties to the college. This local-first approach strengthened relationships and gave HCC confidence that the program would reflect its needs and values.
The result was a successful program that delivered modern facilities and sustainable outcomes.
“We sat down with leaders of each campus and turned concepts into reality,” Rich said. “It was about listening, guiding and making sure the projects served students and faculty.”
“Managing a higher education campus program requires balancing many moving parts,” said Sara Waisanen, Senior Program Manager. “Our goal is to bring structure and consistency so college leaders can stay focused on their priorities. Because we’ve walked alongside higher education clients for decades, we can anticipate challenges, mitigate risks and help lead the way toward successful outcomes.”
Lamar University
The success at HCC helped Freese and Nichols earn program and construction management work with Lamar University in the Texas State University System.
Two projects addressed major student and academic needs:
- Setzer Student Center: A $28 million renovation and expansion modernized the 87,000-square-foot facility, which includes dining, meeting and student government spaces, as well as improvements to outdoor gathering areas.
- STEM Building: A $60 million, 85,400-square-foot facility provided labs, classrooms, offices and support spaces, along with an expansion to the central plant.
With both the program and construction phases managed under one team, the university had confidence its projects would stay on schedule, within budget and aligned with campus priorities. Local staff provided consistent support and a deep understanding of the community.
“At Lamar, having people on the ground who understood the community made a difference,” Heine said. “It gave the university confidence and helped make sure the projects reflected local needs.”
Preparing for What’s Next
As the higher education landscape shifts, institutions are dealing with enrollment declines and financial pressures that are changing how campuses operate. Some are consolidating or merging, while others are expanding to meet student demand.
“Enrollment is projected to drop in the next five years,” said Shad Comeaux, Urban Planning Project Manager. “That creates challenges, but for stronger institutions, it also creates opportunities. They’ll need new facilities, new strategies and new ways to use their campuses.”
By linking campus planning with program management, institutions can adapt more effectively. From early conversations through project completion, our role is to support their vision with consistency and expertise.
“Institutions we partner with look to us for clarity and accountability,” said Clark Sykes, Senior Program Manager. “We apply proven program controls and best practices in a way that fits each client’s needs, so they have confidence that their facilities will be delivered on time, on budget and ready to support their mission.”
For more information on program management for higher education projects, please contact our team:
Trooper Smith, Program Management Practice Leader
Shad Comeaux, Higher Education Campus Master Planning Expert
Sara Waisanen, Higher Education Program Management Subject Matter Expert
Clark Sykes, Higher Education Program Management Subject Matter Expert
