To help bridge the healthcare workforce gap in Lafayette and the surrounding area, the plan for South Louisiana Community College includes a new Allied Health and Science Building, a facility that will host all allied health programs. It will include classrooms and state of the art clinical labs where students can train to become registered and practical nurses, nurse assistants, pharmacy techs, surgical techs, and other critical positions in health care.

​

The facility will also feature a wing for South Louisiana Community College’s ongoing Early College Academy. At present, the academy allows high school students to enroll in South Louisiana Community College classes and earn college credit, or even graduate with an associate’s degree before the end of their senior year. Dual enrollment is at an all-time high at South Louisiana Community College, as more parents, students, and school districts see its value and efficiency. However, the college currently can’t accommodate additional students in the Early College Academy because of limited space. The new facility will enable the program to expand from 250 to 1,000 students, creating a seamless transition from high school to higher education for more young men and women.