January 8, 2026
Shawnee State University has been awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Grant to support major renovations to its College of Health and Human Services laboratory spaces. The upgrades aim to enhance hands-on learning for students and address the region’s healthcare workforce needs.
The grant will fund updates to the university’s medical laboratory technology, radiologic technology and respiratory therapy labs. While the exterior of the Health Sciences Building has been improved recently, interior lab spaces require upgrades to meet current health care standards.
"This grant is a big help for our initiatives to renovate and expand our health science labs," said Christine Raber, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. "These updates will allow students to train on equipment and in spaces that mirror real-world hospital and clinical environments, improving both the quality and quantity of graduates."
Renovations include expanded teaching lab spaces, particularly for the high-demand radiologic technology program, which will grow from a capacity of about 25 students to up to 40. The respiratory therapy lab will be reconfigured to replicate hospital settings, with access to hospital beds, air and oxygen systems. All three labs will be redesigned to improve workflow, instructional demonstrations and student access to equipment.
"These improvements will enhance the hands-on learning experience, enabling students to engage with equipment more efficiently and observe demonstrations in larger, more interactive settings," Raber said.
The updated labs are expected to help address the healthcare worker shortage in southern Ohio by training more students to meet current industry standards. Shawnee State health science programs already boast high exam pass rates and strong employment outcomes, and the renovations aim to further enhance graduates' workforce preparedness.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with phased openings for the renovated labs. Students are expected to see completed spaces by the end of 2027.
"This grant represents a significant investment in the future of Shawnee State’s College of Health and Human Services," Raber said. "It allows us to expand capacity, improve our programs and better serve students and the community. Faculty are excited about the opportunity to enhance both teaching and learning."
For more information about Shawnee State University’s College of Health and Human Services, visit shawnee.edu/chhs.