Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) celebrated the grand opening of its new Health & Science Building, a cutting-edge facility designed to support the next generation of health care and science professionals.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was June 26, marking a major milestone in LSCPA’s mission to provide top-tier education and workforce training to Southeast Texas.
The $37.4 million, 52,000-square-foot facility features advanced laboratories, simulation centers, and modern classroom spaces, all tailored to meet the growing demands of health science programs.
With this expansion, LSCPA is reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence and regional workforce development.
The new faciltiy will provide students with the tools and environment they need to thrive in today’s dynamic medical and scientific fields.
Key features of the building include:
• High-fidelity simulation labs that mirror real-world medical environments
• Flexible instructional spaces with advanced audiovisual technology
• Collaborative learning zones for interdisciplinary teamwork
• Environmentally conscious design and infrastructure
LSCPA President Dr. Betty J. Reynard said the college was “fortunate to have strong community partners who share in our mission to serve the region’s healthcare needs.”
“We are especially grateful to Christus Health and Baptist Hospital for their unwavering support of our nursing program and the college,” said Reynard. “Their partnerships have provided invaluable clinical training opportunities, resources, and professional mentorship for our students, helping ensure they are fully prepared to enter the health care workforce. The collaboration and generosity of these institutions have made a profound difference in the lives of our students and the quality of care delivered in our community. This building is more than just bricks and mortar — it’s a symbol of collaboration, community and our commitment to student success.”
The new building serves as the central hub for LSCPA’s allied health programs, including vocational nursing (LVN), upward mobility LVN to ADN, surgical technology, emergency medical technician (EMT), nurse aide, patient care technician, pharmacy technician and substance abuse counseling.
Additionally, the facility supports science courses integral to health programs, such as microbiology, biology, anatomy and physiology.
The new Allied Health and Science Building enables LSCPA to nearly double its nursing program enrollment.
Partnerships with Christus Health and Baptist Hospital provide students with clinical training, resources, and professional mentorship, addressing critical workforce shortages in the health care field.
The Clinical Simulation Suite is a hospital-grade training environment featuring high-fidelity mannequins, adult care beds, an ICU bed and an OB/pediatric room surrounding a nurse station with a medication room.
There are 32 specialized lab spaces support programs in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology and microbiology.
The building includes a 72-seat general classroom, two 56-seat classrooms and a 55-seat computer lab.
The facility incorporates virtual reality headsets and realistic training dummies to enhance hands-on learning experiences.
The facility can also accommodate 24 faculty members, along with dedicated areas for department chairs and administrative staff. Student collaboration zones are equipped with charging stations, whiteboards and private study areas.
The building was elevated to approximately four feet above ground level and is designed to mitigate flood risks due to heavy rains, tropical storms and hurricanes.
Also in attendence were members of the Texas State University System and area sponsors — Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Christus Health Systems of Southeast Texas and The Medical Center of Southeast Texas.
The college broke ground on the facility in Summer 2024.
The facility was funded by the Tuition Revenue Bond LSCPA received after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 52 in October 2022.
