When someone thinks of Arizona State University, they often think of the Tempe Campus and a large school experience. What they may not realize is that while that experience is great for many people, yet others may be looking for a different experience. The ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus is smaller than the Tempe Campus yet it's a community where every student has the potential to feel connected with resources and it is still large enough (as ASU's second largest campus) that there is always something happening. It's growing as a campus and has transformed quickly from a commuter campus (when it first opened) to a residential campus with nearly 2,000 bed spaces in two residence halls.
Opened for classes in 2006, the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus has hit many milestones over the last several years. For instance, in April 2023, the Taylor Place residence hall was renamed Gordon Commons in honor of former Mayor Phil Gordon. This campus meshes well with the Downtown Phoenix area as they share streets, parks, and nearby restaurants and stores. In fact, ASU is actively involved in monthly stakeholder meetings with the Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI). It helps Downtown stakeholders in knowing what's going on at ASU while it helps ASU to know what's going on around the Downtown Phoenix area. For instance, ASU students and staff enjoy participating in First Fridays while DPI is involved in ASU Welcome Week events.
As the campus continues to grow and become more engrained in the Downtown Phoenix culture every year, the number of buildings on campus continue to increase. In addition to academic buildings such as those of Cronkite, Thunderbird, and the Beus Center for Law and Society, there are student services available in University Center and Student Center at the Post Office. There are also classrooms within the Mercado Center and Arizona Center and even the Fusion on First residence hall and 850 PBC. Within Gordon Commons (another residence hall) is a Starbucks, Chick-fil-a, other restaurants, a Multicultural Communities of Excellence space, a dining hall, and marketplace. There is also some interesting art on campus such as the "Her Secret is Patience" sculpture above the Civic Space Park. There is also a beautiful Sun Devil Fitness Center with a roof-top pool. Needless to say, there is something for everyone on the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus.
At the Downtown Phoenix Campus, every student can drive their own experience as they engage in the events and resources on-campus while attending classes, getting an on-campus job, landing an internship or full-time job, joining clubs and organizations, attending many free events and activities, and so much more. The Dean of Students Office (in the Post Office) and the many student services offices at ASU Downtown Phoenix are always there for students, and it's easy to find your way towards graduation and your future when taking advantage of these resources.
I look forward to seeing what comes next on such an engaging campus such as the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus in the coming years! read more