Health Education Building

With the strong growth in JBU’s nursing and computer science programs, the university is expanding the Health Education Building as part of the Steadfast Faith Campaign.

The university will add a new two-story wing to the Health Education Building. Currently, JBU plans to finish out the first floor of the building, approximately 7,500 square feet, to provide nursing and computer science programs with additional computer lab space, classrooms, upgraded simulation equipment and office space for faculty.

The second floor will be left as an open shell, allowing us flexibility for future use as campus needs evolve. By completing this project alongside the Learning Resource Center renovation, we maximize cost efficiency and steward resources wisely.

Total project cost: $8 million, including building endowments.

Nursing Program

JBU’s nursing program is the largest major at JBU, with over 100 students enrolled and a strong track record of graduates securing jobs within the state. With an anticipated program growth of 30-50% over the next five years, JBU plans to produce 8-12 more BSN-trained nurses annually, resulting in 40-60 additional graduates in five years.

Today, there are over 2,000 open registered nurse positions in Arkansas. The State of Arkansas has contributed $2,328,250 toward this critical expansion, demonstrating strong support for JBU’s efforts to alleviate the nursing shortage and improve patient outcomes across the state.

Computer Science Program

Since the computer science and cybersecurity majors launched in 2020, these programs have increased over 50% yearly to 100 majors and 25 minors. The new Artificial Intelligence program started in 2024 and enrolled 10 students in its inaugural year.

The 2022-2026 NW Arkansas Regional Strategy identified 3,000 open tech jobs in the region with “a clear need for local talent development.” JBU’s expansion will help meet the workforce needs of our region.