JONESBORO – Arkansas State University will advance plans to expand its College of Nursing and Health Professions after Congress approved $9 million in Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations secured by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.
The funding will support construction of a state-of-the-art healthcare simulation facility and expand the footprint of the existing nursing building. The project is designed to help address maternal and infant health workforce shortages and reduce regional health disparities, particularly in the Arkansas Delta.
“Arkansans deserve to have their hard-earned tax dollars reinvested in their communities to help improve health outcomes including robust support for maternal and infant care, increase economic opportunity and transform critical infrastructure,” Boozman said. “I am proud to have secured funding that would meet these critical needs throughout the state.”
The expansion will enable A-State to increase enrollment in its nursing and social work programs, strengthening the pipeline of clinic-ready professionals entering the workforce. The new facility will provide expanded, hands-on training in maternal-infant, neonatal and mental health care scenarios that are often limited in traditional clinical settings.
“This expansion is a game changer for our college,” said Dr. Stacy Walz, interim dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “It allows us to train more students using advanced simulation technologies, ensuring they are prepared to respond to some of the most complex realities facing today’s healthcare professionals.”
Arkansas faces some of the nation’s most significant challenges related to maternal mortality, infant health outcomes, and access to mental health services, particularly in rural regions. University leaders say the new facility represents a long-term investment in addressing those challenges by aligning healthcare education with the state’s most pressing workforce needs.
“This investment allows Arkansas State University to expand our impact in a meaningful way by preparing more highly trained healthcare professionals to serve the communities that need them most,” said Chancellor Todd Shields. “We are grateful to Senator Boozman for his leadership and support, and for recognizing the role higher education plays in improving health outcomes and quality of life across Arkansas.”
As part of the expansion, A-State will also deliver specialized telehealth training and services through the Beck Center for Veterans within the College of Nursing and Health Professions, increasing access to mental health care for military veterans across Arkansas.
Final plans and funding for the project will require approval by the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees.
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