Vincennes University opens new Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation
The new building is home to the College of Health Science and Human Performance.
Vincennes University has opened a new academic building, the Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation, which will serve as the home to the university’s College of Health Science and Human Performance. The building opened to students at the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester, and a ribbon cutting ceremony and a dedication to celebrate the occasion was held on February 4, 2026.
According to an article on Vincennes University’s website, university president Dr. Chuck Johnson was quoted as saying of the new building, “The Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation reflects Vincennes University’s strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and opportunity. The faculty, staff, and students will benefit from a center that strengthens hands-on learning, elevates instructional delivery, and enhances the value of a Vincennes University education. The addition of this beautiful facility reinforces VU’s position as a leader in workforce-focused education.”
Construction on the new building began with a groundbreaking ceremony in February 2024. The facility, which sits at the center of campus, is 72,000 square feet, which is nearly twice as large as the former Health Sciences building, and cost around $33.9 million, which makes it the largest building project in the university’s history. Funding for the Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation was provided by the State of Indiana.
University Board of Trustees Chair Mike Sievers said of the new building, “The Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation represents a significant investment in students and in the well-being of the State of Indiana. When we invest in education at this level, we strengthen communities, support workforce development, and ensure VU graduates are prepared to lead in successful careers.”
Among the academic programs that are housed within the Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation are the Associate of Science in Nursing, Nursing LPN to BSN Completion, Practical Nursing, Nursing RN to BSN Completion, Healthcare Services Administration, Health Information Management, Surgical Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Pharmacy Technology, and Funeral Service Education programs, as well as the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence Active Learning (CAFÉ).
Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Performance Dr. Jason King said, “VU graduates serve in hospitals, clinics, care facilities, and other fields throughout Indiana. The new center allows us to meet growing workforce demands by educating students in spaces that mirror the environments they will enter after graduation. This ensures they graduate ready to meet workforce demands and make an immediate impact.”
The new building is outfitted with several labs and learning spaces that will assist students in learning their chosen pathways’ most up-to-date technology. Included in the building are a Multidiscipline Health Science Lab; a Nursing Simulation Room; active learning classrooms; simulated retail and hospital pharmacy labs; inpatient and outpatient assessment rooms; a Surgical Technology Lab–which includes a surgery prep room, mock operating cubicles, and a sterilization room; a Funeral Services Lab; an Embalming Lab; a Student Study Hub; a computer lab; and administrative and faculty offices.
The building was designed to maximize natural light through the extensive use of windows and glass, which also provides students with views of intramural fields and Updike Fountain. The building also has its own outdoor plaza.
For more information about Vincennes University, visit the school’s website.