
Olney Central College is poised for expansion, a $3.15 million, 8,000-square-foot Applied Technology Center is scheduled to break ground, according to a recent announcement by Governor JB Pritzker. The project, falling under the Rebuild Illinois capital program, is setting its sights on bolstering healthcare education in southeastern Illinois, providing students with modern tools and practical training environments.
"The Applied Technology Center at Olney Central College will enhance healthcare education in southeastern Illinois, equipping students with state-of-the-art tools and hands-on learning to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce for the region," Governor Pritzker said in a statement. The construction is set to commence early this year, focusing on a major addition to Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall, which will become home to OCC's radiography, and nursing programs. Classrooms, simulation labs, office space, and student amenities are part of the planned infrastructure enhancements.
TJ Edwards, CDB Executive Director, has underscored his agency's dedication to supporting educational growth. "This project underscores our commitment to enhancing educational facilities to meet workforce needs, and, we are excited to see how this new center will empower students and benefit the community for years to come," Edwards expressed. The revamp is set to be the hall's most significant update since its inception in 1974, including modernization of the extant classrooms and efficient integration into the new addition.
Olney Central College's President, Chris Simpson, highlights the impact of the development. "This is really a significant improvement for Wattleworth Hall and a real game-changer for Allied Health," Simpson mentioned in a statement. The facility isn't just a growth vector for the college itself, but is expected to ripple out into the community, especially as graduates join the local healthcare industry workforce.
Focusing on the center's direct benefit to students, Dr. Alani Frederick, Dean of Health Professions, details the hands-on educational environment it aims to establish. "Nursing students will be immersed in a realistic hospital environment, allowing them to develop critical clinical judgment in a safe, supervised setting," Frederick explained. With a forward-thinking blend of technology and expert-led instruction, the goal is to deliver professionals who can readily step into today's demanding healthcare roles.
Beyond radiography and nursing, the center will bolster an array of health programs, such as LPN, Massage Therapy, Phlebotomy, and a Basic Nurse Assistant Training Certificate program. Designed with modern educational benchmarks, the facility ensures that Olney Central College will stand equipped to deliver top-tier clinical education to its students and, by extension, service to the broader community.