Irvine Valley College (IVC) officially broke ground on the most ambitious construction projects in its 40-year history: a new Student Services Center and Student Union. IVC and the South Orange County Community College District welcomed the college and the community to mark the occasion, with officials symbolically turning soil with gold shovels—a nod to the college’s four decades of service and its bold leap into the future.
The ceremony included a land blessing delivered by Mark Mendez, tribal leader from the Belardes Band of the Acjachemen Nation who performed with his son, Mark Mendez, Jr., a student at IVC. "The groundbreaking represents both a celebration and a commitment," said IVC President Dr. John Hernandez. "As we celebrate 40 years since IVC became an accredited institution, we also mark a bold step forward into our future. These spaces will stand as a powerful testament to IVC’s unwavering commitment to student success, equity, and community."
With a combined budget of just over $70 million, the two buildings will add more than 77,000 square feet of purpose-built space designed to enhance the student experience and streamline access to essential support services. Once completed, the new Student Services Center will house outreach, admissions, financial aid, counseling, veterans support, and more—serving as the welcoming front door for IVC students.
Located just behind the current Student Services building, the new Student Union will become the heart of campus life, featuring a vibrant cafeteria, bookstore, multipurpose event space, and offices for student government, equity programs, and student life.
The project also includes a full redesign of the college’s central quad—expanding its capacity to host more than 3,000 people and transforming it into a premier venue for commencement and special events. Built to LEED Gold equivalency, the development underscores IVC’s commitment to sustainability while upgrading key infrastructure across the campus.
Construction is expected to be completed in phases, with the new Student Services Center and Student Union opening in Fall 2027 and the central quad debuting in Spring 2028.