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The vitals look good for the debut of ��������app’s nursing program, and the new ��������app engineering facility is taking shape as the number of engineering majors continues to climb.

The proposed Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program got a big boost October 7 from the California Board of Nursing’s Education and Licensing Commit- tee (ELC), which recommends actions to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). “In less than two minutes, the ELC recommended full approval for ��������app’s ABSN Program,” says Carol Velas, who wrote the initial self-study for the ELC and directs the nurs- ing program.

��������app appeared before the BRN November 17-18 with the ELC’s recommendation. The board gave the nursing program final approval, and the first cohort of 24 nurses arrives in January 2022.

With construction and renovation of the first two floors of ��������app’s original building in downtown Santa Barbara now complete, workers are installing equipment and materials for the nursing program. “New packages arrive daily,” says Randy Jones, director of campus planning. “Some equipment has been delayed due to COVID and supply chain issues, but the project will be done for the incoming class.” The building features state- of-the-art classrooms and a high-tech lab with hospital beds and several realistic medical simulation mannequins that students will use in training. “Various body parts for training in wound care and practicing intravenous insertion as well as syringes, dressing material and a whole host of other supplies will help us train our students in the compassionate care of patients,” Velas says.

She has hired some nursing faculty and she continues to interview others to fill open positions. “We’re working with Cottage Hospital to get students into their clinical sites, and those enrolled in our first Fundamentals of Nursing course will use Samarkand for their clinicals,” she says.

Prospective students continue to learn about and apply to the program. Velas and admissions staff have hosted information sessions in person and through Zoom. “Students have been able to see the progress of the building and how we’re preparing the skills and simulation labs for our first cohort,” she says. “I’m so excited. Everything is coming together well.”

Now in its third year, the engineering major is gaining traction with about two dozen new students enrolling this fall. Meanwhile, work on the 5,200-square foot engineering facility has begun, and the review process will likely be done by the end of the year. Construction crews have built retaining walls, French drains and backfilled the wall to create the pad for the structure.

The new space will energize the mechanical engineering curriculum by offering a place for students to get their hands dirty while putting their applied design thinking to practical use.

“It’s going to be a great place and super fun,” says Dan Jensen, program director. “The facility will house all our manufacturing technology, and we’ll use the space in the middle to both teach and make things. The open room will feature several huge monitors on the wall where students display their computer-aided designs. A student lounge with a design space will give students their own area where they can work on projects until 2 a.m.”

“Lift-up doors will provide natural ventilation,” says Randy Jones, director of campus planning. “Students will enjoy the outside decks, and their work spaces inside will be comfortable in the fully insulated, air-conditioned facility.”

The fabricator creating the metal structure has sent the college final engineering drawings, and architects and structural engineers are wrapping up their work. The college will submit final plans for county approval and complete the review process by the end of the year.

“It will be exciting to see students engage with the world and use their engineering skills in fun and productive ways,” Jensen says.

Students in his Machine Design class will compete to create the best remote- control cars this semester, building small cars from kits with hundreds of parts. “They’ll get hands-on experience with lots of devices, such as gears, shock absorbers, motors and stuff,” he says. “Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”