FORT WORTH, Texas — As Texas Wesleyan University marks its 135th anniversary and launches a new strategic plan focused on shaping the next generation of learners, the university has selected Bennett Partners to lead its long-range campus facilities planning effort.

The facilities plan will complement Texas Wesleyan’s newly developed strategic plan, ensuring the university’s physical environment aligns with its mission, academic priorities and long-term vision for growth and innovation. Together, the strategic and facilities plans are designed to position Texas Wesleyan for success over the next 135 years while honoring its historic role as Fort Worth’s first institution of higher education.

“Strategic planning is about more than setting priorities. It is about creating environments where students can thrive,” said Dr. Emily W. Messer, president of Texas Wesleyan University. “Bennett Partners brings deep expertise in higher education and a strong understanding of Fort Worth’s evolving landscape. Their work will help ensure our campus continues to support transformative learning experiences for generations to come.”

Bennett Partners is a longtime Fort Worth firm with a distinguished portfolio of higher-education projects, including work with Texas Christian University and institutions across Texas and beyond. Notably, Bennett Partners also holds a unique place in Texas Wesleyan’s history as the first firm to develop a comprehensive facilities plan for the university more than 40 years ago.
“It is an honor to return to Texas Wesleyan at such a pivotal moment in its history,” said Michael Bennett AIA, Executive Partner and CEO of Bennett Partners. “The university’s commitment to thoughtful planning, student success and community impact is clear. We look forward to partnering once again to create a facilities plan that supports both its strategic goals and its future aspirations.”

The long-range facilities plan will assess existing infrastructure, identify opportunities for modernization and growth, and establish a flexible framework to guide campus development in alignment with enrollment trends, academic innovation and student needs.

This planning effort underscores Texas Wesleyan’s continued investment in thoughtful stewardship, strategic growth and its enduring mission to serve Fort Worth and the region through education grounded in purpose, access and impact.