Normandale Community College has officially kicked off its Launching Futures Campaign and celebrated efforts to complete renovations in fall 2026 for its new Center for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare.
Normandale and its supporters are making a significant $16.9 million investment in the new Center for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare. This modern facility delivers advanced, culturally responsive, team-based healthcare training at an affordable public, two-year college cost, expanding access for more students and strengthening Minnesota’s healthcare talent pipeline.
“We are excited to celebrate the remarkable progress our community has already made with the Center for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare project and Launching Futures Campaign,” said Normandale Community College Interim President Pakou Yang. “In particular, I want to recognize Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, who saw the potential in Normandale’s campaign early and whose commitment helped us turn our vision into action. Together with our donors, alumni, community members, students, faculty, staff, and administrators, we unlock the power to make big things happen, to launch futures, and create opportunities none of us could achieve alone.”
Along with the state-of-the-art healthcare education hub, the Launching Futures campaign will fund scholarships, technology, and essential resources to ensure access and success for all students. Normandale offers a wide range of programs designed to support students from their first day on campus, throughout their educational journey, and all the way to graduation. The campaign also will provide flexible dollars to ensure the college can respond quickly to students in crisis or programs that need immediate support.
“This campaign embodies all that the Normandale Foundation Board has been working toward for many years: growth in support for Normandale students, strong community partnerships, and increased awareness of the community college contribution to the workforce,” said Normandale Community College Foundation Board Chair Dan Kampmeyer. “We are excited to announce that we are 75% toward our $9 million goal, with 15 months to go, and we invite everyone in the community to join us by making a gift.”
Normandale is among the first two-year colleges in the nation to apply this interprofessional approach to healthcare education. The facility will feature a state-of-the-art nursing simulation center, an oral health simulation lab, and a classroom/wellness room and home health lab.
When the project is completed, Normandale health science students (in Community Health, Dental Hygiene, Exercise Science, Health Sciences Broad Field, Nursing and Public Health) will have a modern, dedicated space where they can learn with and from each other across health disciplines, using advanced simulation tools, virtual reality, and health information systems that prepare them for real-world care, team-based practice, and the evolving demands of today’s healthcare workforce.
“Investing in this center is investing in learners and the future of healthcare,” said Delta Dental Foundation of Minnesota President Stephanie Albert. “We are honored to spark this campaign and are inspired by the partners who will join us. Healthy communities start with strong education for those who serve.”
The Center for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare will directly address Minnesota’s critical healthcare workforce shortages by increasing graduate capacity in high-demand programs. Minnesota continues to face significant gaps, with 12% of healthcare positions statewide unfilled and dental hygienist vacancies in the Twin Cities exceeding 11% (source: The Minnesota Department of Economic and Employment Development). The Center strengthens the pipeline by preparing more students, faster, for in-demand roles.
Normandale’s healthcare programs already deliver exceptional, job-ready graduates. Nursing graduates for Normandale average a 95% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, among the highest in Minnesota and 12% above the state average. Dental Hygiene graduates show 100% employment within 12 months of graduation (source: Normandale dental hygiene graduates from 2022-2023) and 86.7% earn $50 or more per hour, reflecting strong employer demand and competitive compensation.
“I’ve had a great experience going through Normandale’s Nursing program,” said second-year nursing student Hannah Poncin, who graduates from the program this May. “They have set up the program so well so that each semester builds perfectly into a different level of learning. Having gone through the Nursing program, it is great to see what is being done with the interprofessional healthcare space. Having everyone work and view things together is a key to healthcare, because we have separated nursing and other areas like dental hygiene in the past. I think it is great that Normandale is changing that narrative to have everyone work together for the best patient outcomes.”
By putting emphasis on this facility, Normandale is aiming to set the standard in community college healthcare training in the state and nation with holistic, patient-centered, and culturally responsive healthcare, education that is collaborative and involves community partners, and innovative technology with simulation and practical training.
About Normandale Community College: Established in 1968, Normandale offers a curriculum that spans more than 70 liberal arts and science disciplines. With exceptional faculty and intensive student support services, we prepare students for success in transferring to four-year colleges and universities and joining the workforce. Normandale is the largest community college and second-largest institution in the Minnesota State system with an enrollment of nearly 17,000 students.
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