College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrated the grand opening of its new Health and Science Building in Nampa with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Nampa Chamber of Commerce. The celebration honored key community partners who played a vital role in making this vision a reality, including legislators and Gov. Little. Additionally, Delta Dental and Westmark Credit Union were recognized for their generous support and commitment to the College’s mission of transforming lives through education. There are still opportunities for community support through CWI’s Powering the Treasure Valley campaign, which aims to raise $30 million for campus development, student scholarships, and enhancing academic programs.
The new Health and Science Building boasts a 60,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art structure on CWI's main Nampa campus. Designed to both modernize and elevate healthcare and science education across the Treasure Valley, the facility consolidates many of the College’s fastest-growing health and science programs under one roof.
The newest space exemplifies a forward-thinking integration of innovation, sustainability, and academic excellence. Purposefully designed with environmental stewardship at its core, the facility features high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting with smart sensors, and extensive use of natural lighting and light harvesting technologies. Sustainable building materials further minimize the environmental impact, fostering a healthier, more energy-efficient learning environment. Beyond supporting the latest in health science education, this facility sets a benchmark for sustainable campus development.
With nearly 2,100 students registered for 106 classes held in the Health and Science Building, the new facility will centralize classes for many students who were previously commuting to or from various campus locations.
“The impact of this facility will ripple throughout our community and healthcare workforce for years to come,” said Gordon Jones, President of CWI. “It’s a true reflection of what can be accomplished when education, industry, and community come together.”
Within the building, students and faculty have access to advanced, industry-standard laboratories, simulation suites, and specialized skills labs for programs like Registered Nursing, Dental Assisting, Surgical Technology, and more. Technology-enabled classrooms, and telehealth facilities integrate seamlessly with clinical skills practice areas, ensuring students learn in environments that closely mirror today’s healthcare settings. Simulation rooms are equipped with lifelike mannequins and the latest medical technology, giving future healthcare professionals realistic clinical training experiences.
Classes in the building began with the start of fall semester on Aug. 18 for nine of the College’s programs including Certified Nursing Assistant Preparation, Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Surgical First Assistant. Additional spaces house biology labs and lecture rooms and communication, English, CWI 101, and math classes.
The Health and Science Building is joined this year by the new Agricultural Sciences Complex, scheduled for a ribbon cutting on Sept. 9, further advancing CWI’s commitment to workforce development and educational excellence throughout the region.
To learn more about this project and other developments at CWI, visit cwi.edu.
