This award provides funding to the College of Albemarle (COA) to support the expansion of multiple health sciences programs and the establishment of a new dental hygiene program that will be located at its new Health Sciences Regional Education Center. The 3,500-square-foot advanced simulation center will serve as a centralized hub for collaboration and state-of-the-art training. COA will partner with Eastern AHEC, Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, ECU Health, and long-term care facilities to expand student access, apprenticeships, and workforce development initiatives. Expected outcomes from this project include 10 graduates annually from the new Dental Hygiene program and increasing graduates from the RN, LPN to ADN, and LPN programs by 40 annually. Golden LEAF will be used for technology and equipment for the simulation center.
