Learning by Doing: The Carolyn & Kem Gardner Building Transforms the Huntsman Experience
Carolyn & Kem Gardner Learning and Leadership Building
The Jon M. Huntsman School of Business expands its physical and educational footprint with the Carolyn & Kem Gardner Learning and Leadership Building (GLLB). This state-of-the-art, 45,000-square-foot facility serves as a premier hub for hands-on, experiential learning on the Utah State University campus. Seamlessly integrated into the business complex, the Gardner Building acts as a physical and collaborative bridge designed to inspire students, foster leadership, and accelerate careers.
Designed first and foremost for student action, the Gardner Building prioritizes a "learning by doing" culture. While traditional classrooms provide foundational theory, this facility houses high-energy, open-concept co-working spaces and dedicated collaboration suites that mirror modern corporate environments. It is a space explicitly engineered to promote community, interaction, and intensive teamwork among student cohorts across multiple disciplines.
"Our hope is for the building to spark connection, inspire students to take ownership of their education, and create lasting memories of their time at Utah State."
Gardner Building Floor Plan
As a massive milestone for experiential learning, the facility houses an array of multi-floor student programs:
- Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center – 1st Floor
The Covey Leadership Center develops principle-centered leaders of character and competence. Serving as a leadership
hub on campus, the center offers programs and resources for all students, aiming to create a global impact inspired by Stephen R. Covey’s legacy.
- The Center for Entrepreneurship – 2nd Floor
The Center for Entrepreneurship equips students with the skills to create value and innovate. Through classes, internships, and competitions, students develop creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness to drive impact and success.
- Analytics Solutions Center – 2nd Floor
The Analytics Solutions Center (ASC) connects Data Analytics and Information Systems students with real-world projects, offering hands-on experience while helping businesses unlock the potential of their data through visual dashboards, machine learning, and more.
- The Huntsman Scholar Program – 3rd Floor
This award-winning program provides high-achieving students with access to world-class faculty, leadership development, global learning experiences, and unparalleled career opportunities. The Huntsman Scholar Program empowers students to lead with integrity and purpose, amplify opportunity, and create meaningful impact—on campus, in business, and around the world. Graduates emerge prepared to navigate a competitive, ever-changing world, equipped with the skills and experiences to lead and innovate.
- Huntsman Hive/Freshman Academy – 3rd Floor
The Huntsman Hive is the hub for growth, connection, and career acceleration at the Huntsman School. Their mission is to empower students to Dare Mighty Things— Together! They help students make an impact at home, in the workplace, and around the world. Freshman Academy is a semester-long orientation focused on belonging and retention with learning experiences and career development opportunities.
This intentional layout brings the school's core student resources under one roof, driving impressive performance metrics such as a 123% increase in student participation in global experiences, over 100 leadership and networking events hosted annually, and more than 20 business competitions each year. Ultimately, this collaborative environment is built to fulfill a bold vision: by 2030, the school aims to offer experiential learning opportunities to 100% of our students.
This physical and cultural integration perfectly captures the overarching mission of the facility, which is "a dynamic new home for hands-on learning and leadership at the Huntsman School of Business. Designed as a “Center of Centers,” it brings together key programs that give students real-world experience in entrepreneurship, analytics, research, leadership, and more. The building reflects the Gardners’ enduring commitment to education, leadership, and the future of Aggie students.
Design: MHTN Architects, Salt Lake City
Build: Jacobsen Construction, Salt Lake City