USU Monument Valley Education Building to Break Ground on Aug. 2

MONUMENT VALLEY, Utah — After years of planning and gathering funds, Utah State University will break ground for an academic and community center planned in Monument Valley at 10 a.m. Aug. 2.

The planned building, which will be located just northwest of Monument Valley High School, will serve students and community members of the Navajo Nation. The groundbreaking ceremony is open to all.

“We are so happy that this project is finally coming to fruition,” said Kristian Olsen, senior associate vice president for USU Blanding. “We could not have gotten here without the incredible support and tireless efforts of the Utah Legislature, the leaders of the Navajo Nation — with special recognition to the local Oljato Chapter — university leadership, the San Juan School Board and all our generous donors who have given to make this possible. We cannot wait to open the doors.”

The education and community center plan calls for an approximately 10,000-square-foot building that will include modern classrooms, computer labs, a nursing and CNA lab, Career & Technical Education lab, small business development space, a welding lab, space for adult education and USU Extension, administrative and faculty offices, and space for community gatherings and public events.

The building will also be equipped for distance learning and will offer an array of certificates and degrees, ranging from technical certificates to doctorate degrees, as well as academic guidance and support, counseling services and career mentoring. The building will also offer opportunities for concurrent enrollment collaboration with the high school.

While no set open date has yet been announced, it is anticipated the building will be completed in early 2026.

Utah State University’s Statewide Campuses create impact by bettering the lives of the people and places they serve. From career and technical certificates to doctorate degrees, USU offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. With multiple locations across 85,000 square miles, USU can be the hometown university to anyone, no matter where they live. Learn more at statewide.usu.edu.