University of La Verne Secures $8.5M in State Funding for Construction

The University of La Verne in La Verne, Calif., will receive $8.5 million in state funding to go toward the construction of a new facility for the College of Health and Community Well-Being in Ontario, Calif., according to a news release. The funds were part of Senator Susan Rubio’s 2023–24 budget for District 22 and were approved last week by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024.

“I am thrilled to be able to bring resources to help students reach their academic and professional goals,” said Rubio. “Not only will it generate good-paying jobs to construct the new college, it will also train the next generation of healthcare workers our community desperately needs.”

The facility will measure in at 60,000 square feet and stand two stories, according to the news release. Design features and amenities will include a daylit atrium, skills and simulation labs built to resemble real hospitals, technology upgrades in classrooms, research space, and collaboration areas. The College of Health and Community Well-Being is the university’s fifth academic college and opened on July 1, 2022. According to the university website, the college’s founding serves as a major facet of the university’s 2025 Strategic Vision.

“College programs serve as a catalyst to retain local talent, as well as expand healthcare and workforce opportunities in the region,” said University President Devorah Lieberman. “We are deeply appreciative of Senator Rubio’s support and advocacy for the university, especially as we create a space that will transform a historically underserved and under-resourced region within the district and beyond.”

According to the press release, the college was founded to help meet the growing need for healthcare professionals in the Inland Southern California region. The new facility will stand alongside the university’s College of Law and Public Service and the Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Social Impact to complete its “education and innovation corridor” within the region.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Delta State University Completes Renovations to School of Nursing Facilities

    Delta State University recently completed a major expansion and renovation project for the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing facilities on its campus in Cleveland, Miss., according to a news release. The project includes about 14,000 square feet of new construction and more than 21,000 square feet of renovation work to the existing space.

  • Florida SouthWestern State College, Skanska Partner for Humanities Hall Renovation

    Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers, Fla., recently announced that it is partnering with construction firm Skanska to renovate the school’s Humanities Hall, according to a news release.

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Geometrik

    Armstrong World Industries, designer and manufacturer of interior and exterior architectural applications like ceilings, walls, and metal solutions, recently announced its acquisition of Canada-based Geometrik, according to a news release. The British Columbian Geometrik specializes in designing and manufacturing wood acoustical and wall systems.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

Digital Edition