University of Texas at Dallas leaders, supporters, students and alumni broke ground Oct. 8 for a new addition to the Naveen Jindal School of Management.

The $98 million, three-story, 125,000-square-foot addition will house the Jindal School’s undergraduate and executive education programs, the business communications program, a new artificial intelligence lab and a Starbucks. Expected to be completed in May 2026, the building also will be the new home of the dean’s offices.

“Our existing buildings house 51 classrooms, five computer labs, a dining hall and a 350-seat auditorium, and these buildings are home to nearly 11,000 students, 270 full-time faculty, 130 adjunct faculty, 235 staff and 125 PhD students,” said Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Caruth Chair and dean of the Jindal School. “Believe me, we cannot wait to occupy our new building. During the past two years we have been truly struggling to find offices for our new faculty and staff.”

The Jindal School’s third building, a 125,000-square-foot facility expected to be completed in May 2026, will house undergraduate and executive education programs; the business communications program; a new artificial intelligence lab; and the dean’s offices.

The Jindal School, founded in 1975, opened a 204,000-square-foot building in 2003. In 2014, a four-story, 108,000-square-foot facility connected to the first building was completed. The new stand-alone building will be next to the first addition on the east side.

UT System Regent Christina Melton Crain expressed her admiration for the “electric growth” at UT Dallas.

“New institutional spaces are essential to fueling the innovations that take place when faculty and students can explore ideas,” she said. “With the completion of this new addition, generations of students will have a robust and productive experience in the Jindal School of Management and all that it offers.”

Crain also praised Jindal School alumni as “terrific ambassadors” for the school and UTD and mentioned some of them, most of whom were in attendance.

“You have examples of the stellar alumni in the school’s namesake, Naveen Jindal, as well as Chuck and Nancy Davidson, A.K. Mago, Ron Nash and Kevin Ryan,” she said. “Without a doubt, UT Dallas continues to be an important part of the educational landscape that extends beyond our state and especially here in North Texas. With the amazing growth that we’re having, what happens on this campus is making a real difference.”

Other attendees at the groundbreaking included Dr. Richard C. Benson, UT Dallas president and Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership; Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president for facilities and economic development; and Debopreeta Bhattacharya, a sociology senior and vice president of Student Government.

Bhattacharya, who is also pursuing a minor in healthcare management, frequently interacts with Jindal School faculty and takes advantage of the school’s resources.

“I have had great professors help me through rigorous courses, used the Career Management Center to help craft my resume and downed a latte or two from the Tradecraft Coffee & Tea Bar,” she said. “I have also found a great network and career options, and so have many other students at UTD.”

The project is designed by architectural firm Perkins&Will and is being managed by Project Control. Whiting-Turner will manage the building’s construction.