PUEBLO – Pueblo Community College is celebrating the reopening of its Health Science building after a $6.3 million renovation. The Colorado General Assembly funded the project, with an initial $100,000 pledged by the college.
The Health Science building houses PCC’s dental hygiene program. Before the renovation, the program was operating in separate buildings on campus. Thanks to a larger classroom, as well as lecture and materials labs, students and instructors now are under the same roof.
In turn, PCC now has available space to move its cosmetology program – currently located in an off-campus building leased by the college – back to campus later this year.
“We knew the nursing program (formerly located in the Health Science building) would be moving to St. Mary-Corwin, so now we’re able to consolidate two operations into one for greater efficiencies, which also helps us keep tuition lower,” said PCC President Patty Erjavec.
Members of the state legislature’s capital development committee, which initially approved the money for the renovation, toured the building last fall to learn how the funding will benefit students and the community.
“It’s great to have everyone in one building,” said Linda Blasi, chair of dental hygiene program. “Instructors can be together and collaborate during clinical sessions, so it’s much more efficient. The students like being together and have more camaraderie, which is nice to see.”
In addition to the classroom and labs, improvements include a new roof, X-ray rooms, offices, lounge space and other building upgrades. HW Houston was the general contractor and Steve Weidner was the project manager.
Another vital component of the renovation is improved clinic space. PCC’s popular dental clinic offers preventive services to the community at substantially reduced rates and provides students with crucial hands-on experience.
The dental hygiene program graduated its first class in 1978. In addition to an associate degree, students can earn a bachelor’s degree online through PCC. Blasi, a 1992 PCC graduate, noted the program maintains an excellent reputation with the industry and with students.
“Our graduates do very well on licensing exams. We have a high pass rate,” she said. Dental hygienists are in demand throughout Colorado as the state’s population continues to grow. “Our students have no problem finding a job after they graduate,” Blasi said.
For information about the dental hygiene program, visit the program web page or call 719-549-3286. For clinic information, visit the PCC website or call 719-549-3286.
