College of The Albemarle has announced Clark Nexsen, a Raleigh-based architecture and engineering firm, will be recommended to the North
Carolina State Construction Office as the lead for the college’s new health science simulation expansion project at the Elizabeth City campus.
The COA Board of Trustees approved the Building and Grounds Committee’s recommendation of Clark Nexsen during their meeting on Tuesday.
More from COA news release:
“Clark Nexsen has completed projects for COA previously with impeccable results. They have extensive design experience for allied health and school of nursing facilities. They have completed projects for Wake Technical Community College, Western Carolina University, the University of Virginia and many others. The team at Clark Nexsen understands the community and the college from various COA projects they have led.”
“We are so pleased to have this selection process complete and the recommendation ready for the state’s consideration,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, COA President.
“College of The Albemarle is ready to begin construction on the new health sciences facility as soon as possible,” Bagwell said. “Our community and the surrounding communities depend on us greatly to provide quality candidates for many healthcare-related employment needs in our service area and beyond.”
Currently, COA’s nursing programs are taught in facilities originally designed to serve a much smaller number of students with simulation centers that do not meet the program’s needs.
COA has been recognized as having the number one registered nursing program among colleges and universities in North Carolina by registerednursing.org.
Nursing students must have simulation centers that meet the current training requirements, accommodate the growing number of students served and meet the healthcare employment needs within our communities, according to the COA release.
The new facility will be constructed as an addition to the current Dr. Zack D. Owens Health Sciences Center on the northern side of the Elizabeth City campus.
“I anticipate receiving approval from the state on our recommendation of Clark Nexsen,” said James Davison, Chief Operations Officer for COA.
“They are a highly reputable firm with much to offer for designing and constructing our health sciences simulation expansion facility,” Davison said. “We have full confidence they will work alongside us, ensuring this facility meets the needs of the college and the community.”
“Our Clark Nexsen Design Team is thrilled to partner with College of The Albemarle in designing a best-in-class academic building, training the next generation of health care professionals, while supporting the health and wellness of the community,” said Chad Roberson, Principal, Clark Nexsen.
