ASU Board of Trustees Approves $8M Nursing Building

The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees recently approved the construction of a new nursing building at its Three Rivers campus in Malvern, Ark. The university received $8 million in federal funding for the project through the Fiscal Year 2023 year-end spending package pushed by U.S. Senator John Boozman, according to a university news release.

The new facility will measure between 22,000–25,000 square feet and feature four simulation labs with control rooms, an obstetrics room, a pediatric room, and two adult medical-surgical nursing spaces, the news release reports. It will also feature two 50-student computer labs and a 150-seat auditorium.

“We deeply appreciate Senator Boozman’s efforts to secure funding for ASU Three Rivers’ nursing program and for the construction of a facility to provide academic excellence for healthcare in Arkansas,” said ASU Three Rivers Chancellor Dr. Steve Rook.

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) recommended a larger facility to keep up with student enrollment during a site visit in 2019. The university’s current health science facility measures in at just 11,000 square feet.

“ASU Three Rivers has a longstanding tradition of preparing students to enter the workforce as professionals in the healthcare and health science fields,” said Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Pat Simms. “The College’s Practical Nursing program is one of the College’s oldest programs, producing more graduates than any other since the school’s inception.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Campus Safety Requires Using Every Resource Available

    Across the U.S., school and campus leaders are facing a security landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Incidents on school property have increased in recent years, with several consecutive years setting record totals. According to analysis of data by CNN, dozens of shootings now occur on school grounds annually across K-12 and higher education environments.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Embry-Riddle Completes Construction on Research, Lab Facility

    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Fla., recently announced the end of construction on a new research and lab facility on campus. The Center for Aerospace Engineering II (CAT II) will support aerospace research and technology development and broke ground last summer.

  • AAADM Announces Building Safety Month Initiatives

    The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) recently announced its support of Building Safety Month as declared by the International Code Council (ICC), according to a news release.