November 13, 2023 — Referring to the new Dyson Center as a game changer for Marist students and faculty would be an understatement. Scheduled to open in fall 2024, construction of this expansive 110,000-square-foot facility is approaching full enclosure, including the installation of its distinctive windows. It will serve as an innovative home for the Schools of Management and Social and Behavioral Sciences, in addition to hosting the Center for Career Services.

As the building's exterior nears completion, excitement is mounting for what awaits inside. The new Dyson Center will feature state-of-the-art spaces that will support students' varied needs and facilitate learning in the “classroom of tomorrow.” From entrepreneurship labs and a mock courtroom to collaborative project zones and meeting areas, the new building will buzz with activity.

The center atrium will also feature common areas accessible to all on campus, including a cafe and lounge.

Rendering of the Dyson Center atrium, courtesy of Annum.

School of Management

The School of Management plans to introduce student-run businesses in the atrium, giving them real-world entrepreneurial experiences. In addition, the school will launch a new entrepreneurship lab and a marketing lab to support specialized instructional approaches in each discipline. Students are looking forward to getting to use the many new facilities. The new space for the School of Management will include an Entrepreneurship Lab, a Marketing Lab, and the new Investment Center.

Dyson Center construction. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist College.

What They’re Saying

Wall Street-style Trading Floor: “I'm most excited about the new Investment Center trading floor, which will provide a fantastic opportunity for hands-on investment experience," said Layla Keen '25, a business major with a finance concentration. "It will also be a perfect spot for studying with classmates and collaborating on projects. And, of course, I can't wait to see what the new cafe has to offer."

"The new Investment Center will feature modern ticker displays, expanded seating, and maintain its focus on fostering student collaboration and interaction," said Brian Haughey, Associate Professor of Finance and Director of the Investment Center, in Hancock Center. "The current facility has played a pivotal role in the development of the highly successful finance program enjoyed by both our students and alumni at Marist."

Rendering of the Dyson Center's new Investment Center, courtesy of Annum.

Modern Marketing Lab: I'm most excited about the new marketing lab and the space for School of Management clubs to connect," shared Lana Tomchuk, a '26 business administration major with a marketing concentration. "[51] Fulton felt somewhat distant, so I'm looking forward to the on-campus business hub. I think this new space will promote stronger connections among Marist SOM students, enabling us to collaborate with like-minded peers beyond class. The marketing lab, especially, provides hands-on learning with real-world technology for enhancing marketing strategies."

"The Marketing Lab acts as a bridge, seamlessly connecting theoretical knowledge with practical application, providing students the opportunity to apply their learning in real-world scenarios," said Dr. Mohammadali Koorank Beheshti, Assistant Professor of Marketing. "Within this innovative space, students have access to advanced technology, fostering practical experience alongside their academic studies."

A Space that Sparks Innovation: “The future belongs to the innovators and the new Entrepreneurship Lab in Dyson will provide a place where innovators can collaborate to create that future,” said Dr. David Gavin, Associate Professor of Management. “The new multi-use space is designed for classes, workshops, guest speakers, and limitless ideation. It is where dreams will be captured and turned into reality. What an exciting time to study Entrepreneurship at Marist College.”

See more about how the new Dyson Center will impact the School of Management.

The atrium under construction inside the Dyson Center. Photo by Justin Butwell/Marist College.

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences will host vital resources to significantly enhance the campus experience. For instance, the psychology department will have three dedicated lab areas covering developmental psychology, social psychology, and cognitive & biological psychology each with research assistant rooms. Additionally, teacher education programs will benefit from a teaching methods classroom, a curriculum resource room, and a maker space to be shared with all programs. The maker space will allow teacher education students to modify instructional materials for students with special needs as well as design experiential learning lessons for their P-12 students.

A mock courtroom, tailored for criminal justice students, accommodates moot court debates and enables social work students to role-play family court scenarios. Also, a dedicated emergency management and simulation area on the third floor will feature advanced technology for exploring cybersecurity, bomb threats, and private security operations. Additionally, the fourth floor will host a clinical suite for training clinical mental health graduate and undergraduate social work students in therapeutic skills, including individual, family, and group therapy, with access extended to graduate students in the school psychology program for comprehensive intellectual assessments.

What They’re Saying

Specialized Clinical Suites: "In our newly designed clinical suite, we'll feature dedicated areas for individual and group counseling, assessment, and a waiting room, fostering a realistic and practical setting," explained Patrick O’Donnell, Associate Professor and Director of the School Psychology Program. "This is a significant shift from conducting these activities in a standard classroom. Now, students in the School Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs can refine their skills in a specialized environment that simulates a professional setting."

Mock Courtroom and Emergency Drills: "Our newly established mock courtroom, tailored for advocacy and case argumentation, will offer students a dynamic space to hone their legal skills and bridge theory to practice," noted Dr. Frank Merenda, Associate Professor and Chair of Criminal Justice. "Meanwhile, the Emergency Management Simulation and Research Lab will serve as a distinctive resource for students aspiring to careers in emergency management, security, public health, and related fields. It provides immersive experiences in real-time critical incidents and role-play scenarios."

“I am so incredibly excited to use the Mock Court room and Emergency Management Lab,” said Paige Dykeman '26, a criminal justice major. “This will be a wonderful learning opportunity to be exposed to prior to a career in law enforcement.”

"As a criminal justice and psychology double major with a future interest in crisis response and protection I am insanely excited to see the opportunities that the Emergency Management Lab will bring to the programs," said Lily Chicosky '26. "I have no doubt that the hands-on experience we will get between the new lab and the mock court room will help me get steps closer towards my long-term career goals."

“The construction of Dyson excites me so much since it will serve learners and educators in many ways that will enhance our curriculum and future goals,” said Shannon Willis '26, criminal Justice major. “A more flexible setting for learning, group projects, discussions, and other activities can contribute to a more dynamic and interesting experience overall. I'm happy to have a place where students and I can begin preparing for success in the future.”

The future 150-seat lecture hall inside the Dyson Center. Photo by Justin Butwell/Marist College.

The Dyson Center gives Marist faculty advanced tools, setting a new standard for education by offering cutting-edge facilities and interactive touch screen classrooms for more engaging teaching. A 150-seat lecture hall also gives both Schools ample space to host guest speakers, community events, and engaging conversations.

Learn more about its impact on the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist College.

Center for Career Services

Career-readiness is a hallmark of a Marist education, with 95% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The Center for Career Services will use the new space to further advance students’ professional training and host career and internship fairs, networking events, peer mentoring sessions, alumni/employer panel discussions, and more.

“I’m truly looking forward to the new Dyson Center because it will assist the Center for Career Services with providing more programs, events and employer interviews on campus,” said Desmond Murray, Associate Director for the Employer Experience at Marist. “Once the new Dyson Center is completed, we will be able to offer more employer information sessions for students, more on-campus employer interviews, alumni employer events for students, etc.”

Rendering of the future Center for Career Services in the Dyson Center, courtesy of Annum.

Explore further details about the new Dyson Center by clicking here.