NORTHERN TODAY 10 WINTER 2024 News | NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY New building will lead to new programs, additional community access ISITORS to Northern State University will soon have an additional entry point on campus that will bookend the recently completed Jewett Regional Science Education Center. Demolition and construction for the new, leading-edge Business and Health Innovation Center will start this spring, with anticipated completion in the fall of 2025. The project includes the demolition of Lincoln and Briscoe Halls. Funding for the project was approved by the US Treasury in September, said Veronica Paulson, vice president of finance and administration. “The goal is to enhance the corner of 12th Avenue and Washington to make it an inviting point of arrival to campus,” Paulson said. “The architects are studying the traffic flow on Washington Street to determine if any changes are needed to improve safety and provide good access to the building.” Every aspect of the design will enhance recruitment, instruction, collaboration, accessibility and student engagement, as well as enable community members to directly engage in work, education and health monitoring. “The Business and Health Innovation Center positions Northern to meet critical workforce needs in business, banking, finance, accounting and nursing,” said Dr. Neal Schnoor, president of Northern. “It is a generational opportunity to advance regional health and economic development.” The soon-to-be-built facility will house the School of Business, Northern’s nursing program, and the Innovation and Startup Center. The Innovation and Startup Center opened January 2023 and is being temporarily housed in the Beulah Williams Library. The new facility will include state-of-the-art nursing labs and simulation equipment. The development of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at Northern State University is well underway. Northern has received approval from the South Dakota Board of Regents to start the bachelor’s degree program, as well as approval from the South Dakota Board of Nursing. The goal is to have the Bachelor of Science in Nursing available to students by fall 2025, in order to address the critical workforce needs in the community, region and state. “The Fall 2025 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program launch is contingent on final approval of our Associate Dean by the South Dakota Board of Nursing, obtaining new applicant status from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and final approval V
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