UAPB receives $15 million for new nursing building

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) nursing program will receive a $15 million investment to construct a new academic building as part of a major federal legislative package, according to U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.

The funding represents a major investment that will improve educational facilities and equipment for preparing future generations of nurses and addressing the health care workforce needs.

UAPB offers two program tracks: a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and a registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N. to BSN) program for nurses who are already licensed.

“On behalf of UAPB, I would like to express our gratitude to Senator Boozman for his commitment to our institution and to this region of the state,” said UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander. “This facility will be a game changer for UAPB. The funds will enable us to build a technologically advanced nursing school facility that will strengthen the university’s role in addressing the nursing shortage and developing and growing the health care workforce across our state.”

“I’m proud to deliver investments to Arkansas that support growth and development as well as improve the quality of life for Natural State residents. Enhancing UAPB’s ability to provide medical training opportunities will benefit students and help address the shortage of health care providers in communities across our state. I look forward to seeing how a new, technologically advanced facility will serve nursing students and faculty who will, in turn, serve the needs of Arkansas for years to come,” Boozman said.

The Congressional funds follow a major gift of $1.1 million that the nursing program received in late 2022 from CHI St. Vincent, a regional health network serving Central and Southwest Arkansas, for faculty development, student support, and a variety of other program enhancements.