Allen College Announces $3 Million Expansion of Simulation Lab
April 1, 2025
WATERLOO – UnityPoint Health – Allen College is announcing an expansion to its simulation lab at McElroy Hall.
The $3 million expansion will add more than 8,000 square feet to McElroy Hall on the south side of the facility and essentially quadruple the current lab space. The addition will enhance simulated learning for the students in nursing and health sciences programs. In addition to the expansion, an existing space in McElroy Hall will be renovated to accommodate the Nursing Skills Lab.
The project will feature:
- Three new classrooms/simulation debriefing rooms
- Nurses’ station
- Four medical/surgical simulation rooms
- Four clinic simulation rooms
- Supply and medication room
- Home health suite
- Faculty office space
- New main entrance and reception area
- Student study spaces
“This is a very exciting project for our team,” says Dr. Jared Seliger, president of Allen College. “Our country is facing a healthcare provider shortage, and this commitment to our nursing and nurse practitioner programs will help supply the next generation of caregivers.”
The project expects to break ground later this year and could be completed as soon as 2027.
“With the growth of simulation education in nursing, we’ve outgrown our space,” says Dr. Ashley Ollendieck, a member of the nursing faculty and certified healthcare simulation educator. “This simulation project will provide a more realistic, hands-on learning environment for us to train our future healthcare workforce. With this expansion, we’ll be able to accommodate many more students and integrate a simulation experience that’s proven to produce superior graduates.”
“In nursing, simulation offers numerous advantages that help us thrive in the future,” says Allen College student Ellie Bobinet. “By practicing clinical procedures, we can make mistakes that won't affect lives in real life. Increasing our simulation space will better equip aspiring nurses like me to increase patient safety and develop resilience.”
“In a real-life clinical setting, our teachers are unable to provide feedback about mannerisms inside patient rooms, but the simulation lab allows for open-ended questioning and education to occur,” adds Allen College student Jacob Stockdale. “I can strongly say I’m more confident and educated as a nurse to provide my patients with the best possible care due to the opportunities the simulation lab offers.”
The goal is to fully fund this expansion through private donations. To learn more about this impactful project, or to make a gift, contact the Allen Foundation at (319) 235-3960.