San Antonio College Expands to Meet Community Needs

New buildings and new technologies enhance exemplary programs

Ribbon Cutting on SAC's new Nursing/Allied Health Complex

(San Antonio, TX, February 6, 2009) – SAC President Robert E. Zeigler, Ph.D., along with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and City of San Antonio Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros cut the ribbon on SAC’s new Nursing/Allied Health Complex (NAHC) and its Academic Instruction Center (AIC). Event speakers also included ACCD Board of Trustees Chairman Denver McClendon, Chancellor Bruce H. Leslie, Ph.D., and Assoc. Vice Chancellor of Facilities John Strybos, as well as Project Manager Gene Rutherford, Parsons, and SAC Student Government Association President Julianne Cantu. The SAC Brass Ensemble, directed by Peter Kline, provided pre-event entertainment, and Patsy Torres sang the National Anthem.

For years, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has deemed SAC’s Nursing Education, Dental Assisting and Medical Assisting programs as “Exemplary,” signifying that programs exceed required standards of excellence for credentialing passage rates and job placement. THECB also recognizes SAC’s Business Management, Finance and Financial Management, Public Administration and Real Estate programs as “Exemplary.”

Hence, San Antonio College is increasing its capacity to train nurses, first responders and allied health workers, while also expanding academic experiences for its students. The new buildings feature state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms wired with smart technologies, updated offices and study spaces for students, faculty and staff.

“The college is keeping pace with technological advancements that move education and industry forward,” SAC President Zeigler said. “The new facilities will expand our excellent programs to involve more students and faculty, and ultimately benefit the community.”

He went on to say that with a top Texas associate degree nursing program, SAC is committed to preparing RNs to meet the ever-growing national shortage of nurses. “The new expanded space will enable the college to almost double its nursing education program – from approximately 500 to nearly 1,000 students within three years,” he said.

The 140,000 sq. foot NAHC includes two simulated hospital wings with sophisticated high-fidelity Laerdal simulation mannequins (adult and baby patients in various settings such as critical care and labor/delivery) and related computer equipment. In fact, nursing students will use the labs to meet requirements for Combination Inpatient and Clinical Simulation Experiences.

Zeigler also mentioned recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission, which indicates that medical assistants, dental assistants and emergency medical technicians are some of the fastest-growing employment sectors. The NAHC includes specialized facilities for those students too.

For example, Dental Operatories simulate a modern dentist’s office where the patient can watch TV while being treated, and video monitors will allow instructors to observe students at work. Enhanced spaces will enable medical assisting students to become more efficient at carrying out clinical tasks and routine administrative duties as preparation for work in a physician’s office, hospital outpatient clinic, or other ambulatory care facility.

Emergency medical services students will practice critical care scenarios in the first floor ambulance bay and replicated Emergency Room facility. Additional space is designated for Medical Front Office and Back Office, Medical Coding and Pharmacy Tech programs.

The second new building at SAC is the 72,000 sq. foot Academic Instruction Center with contemporary classrooms, labs and offices for Philosophy, Foreign Languages, Business, Protective Services and Continuing Education departments. Aesthetically pleasing study rooms and lounge areas with big windows are intended to improve students’ educational experiences.

“It is great that the voters and the administration have taken that progressive step forward to make SAC a more efficient place for students,” said SAC Student Government Association President Julianne Cantu. “It is truly amazing!”

Bexar County voters in the ACCD Bond Election of Nov. 2005 made construction possible. Parsons handled project management. O’Connell Robertson is the architecture firm of record for the Nursing/Allied Health Complex, and The West East Design Group for the Academic Instruction Center. Energy-conservation building practices were implemented for both facilities, such as high-efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs, natural lighting, thermal efficient windows, tight sealing, extra insulation and outdoor xeriscaping.