The ribbon-cutting ceremony welcomed community leaders, alumni, and supporters, who toured the new facility alongside NWFSC President Mel Ponder and Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Charlotte Kuss.
“This expansion is more than bricks and mortar — it’s a bold investment in the future of healthcare in our region,” Ponder said in a news release. “With over $34 million dedicated to growing our nursing program, we’re doubling enrollment and equipping students with the most advanced technology available.”
Funded through $13 million in state education construction funds and a $21.8 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant awarded in 2023, the new School of Nursing facility encompasses more than 64,000 square feet. It features immersive learning environments, including virtual reality labs and high-fidelity simulation suites, designed to give students hands-on experience in a safe, controlled setting.
“This new building is a reflection of the incredible caliber and vision that guides our nursing program,” NWFSC Trustee Chair Rhea Goff said. “This will allow our faculty to do even more for students’ learning experiences, ensuring they are prepared better than anyone for their field.”
The college’s nursing program continues to outperform state and national benchmarks. In 2024, the Associate Degree in Nursing program achieved a 98.65% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam — the national licensure test for registered nurses — compared to Florida’s average of 84.1% and the national average of 90.6%.
Retention rates are equally impressive, with 94.3% of students completing the program, far exceeding the statewide average of 77.2%, NWFSC officials said.
With the new facility, NWFSC is poised to double nursing enrollment by 2026, helping to address the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals across Northwest Florida.
To learn more about the health sciences programs at Northwest Florida State College, visit www.lookatmenow.nwfsc.edu.