University leaders, students, elected officials and community members gathered Friday, April 10, at UNC Pembroke to celebrate a major milestone in the university’s continued expansion of healthcare education — the groundbreaking of the new Clinical Sciences Building.

The $96.8 million, 74,000-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for advanced healthcare education, housing the College of Optometric Medicine, the Occupational Therapy program and additional clinical sciences programs. The building is designed to support hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and workforce development across southeastern North Carolina.

“This is a transformative moment for UNC Pembroke and our region,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, MD in a press release. “We are deeply grateful to our state legislators for their leadership and support, and to the Golden LEAF Foundation for their partnership in advancing this important project. Together, these investments are helping us expand high-demand health programs, address critical workforce shortages and create new opportunities for students while improving access to care across southeastern North Carolina.” 

The ceremony featured remarks from university leadership and key partners, including Ed Brooks, chair of the UNCP Board of Trustees; Kellie Blue, vice chair of the UNC System Board of Governors; Rob Hsin of Jenkins Peer Architects; Aaron Thomas, president and CEO of Metcon Construction and UNCP graduate; and Scott Hamilton, president and CEO of the Golden LEAF Foundation, which awarded $4.86 million to the future optometric program with clinical and training lab equipment to enable hands-on learning and advanced technology-based patient care.

The project represents years of planning and collaboration, supported in part by state funding secured by members of the North Carolina General Assembly.

Former N.C. Rep. Jarrod Lowery, who helped secure funding for the project, reflected on its long-term significance for the region.

“This is something this community has been working toward for more than 20 years,” Lowery said in a press release. “If we can train talented individuals here at home, they’re more likely to stay here and serve their communities. That’s how you improve health outcomes across the region.”

Lowery described the building as a turning point for access to care and opportunity.

“It’s going to open doors for people who may not have had access to these careers before,” he said in a press release. “Programs like this will help ensure more healthcare professionals are serving southeastern North Carolina.”

The Clinical Sciences Building will feature specialized learning and clinical spaces, including an optometric clinic, clinical exam rooms, simulation labs and collaborative student areas designed to enhance the academic experience.

The facility will also house the state’s first public College of Optometric Medicine, a development expected to significantly impact healthcare access across the state.

Kellie Blue said the project represents both progress and purpose.

“As a proud UNC Pembroke graduate and Pembroke native, it is incredibly meaningful to see this level of investment in our university and our community,” Blue said in a press release. “The new Clinical Sciences Building represents more than a facility — it reflects a commitment to expanding opportunity, strengthening healthcare access and preparing future professionals to serve rural North Carolina.”

Provost Diane Prusank, PhD, emphasized how the project builds on UNCP’s growing health sciences programs.

 “This groundbreaking reflects UNC Pembroke’s continued commitment to expanding high-quality healthcare education and creating opportunities for our students,” Prusank said in a press release. “The Clinical Sciences Building will strengthen our growing portfolio of health programs and allow us to prepare future healthcare leaders to serve communities across southeastern North Carolina.

UNCP’s expansion into health sciences began in 2018 with the creation of the College of Health Sciences, following research that identified a critical need for more healthcare professionals in the region. Continued state investment has supported the development of new programs, including the optometry program, which will play a central role in the new facility.

Construction is expected to continue through 2028, with the building scheduled to open in August 2028.