Rockland Community College launches renovation for $3 million Nursing Simulation Lab

Suffern, NY Rockland Community College (RCC) officially marked the start of construction on a new $3 million Nursing Simulation Lab during a celebratory ceremony held on February 24. The facility will expand hands-on training opportunities and help prepare the next generation of nurses for in-demand healthcare careers. 

College leadership, county officials, and community partners gathered in the Technology Building to celebrate the milestone investment. Speakers included Dr. William Mullaney, president of RCC; Michael Hoblin, Deputy County executive; L’Tanya Watkins, Esq., chair of the RCC Board of Trustees; Dr. Dana Stilley, vice chair of the RCC Board of Trustees; Sara Annunziato, dean of the School of Nursing, Health, & Wellness; and Donna Chiapperino, district director for the Office of Congressman Michael Lawler.

When completed, the new lab will be five times the size of the previous space, spanning nearly 5,000 s/f. The renovation converts former lab and classroom areas on the second floor of RCC’s Technology Building into a dedicated simulation wing that mirrors real clinical settings. Students are expected to begin using the new facility in the fall 2026 semester. 

“Our nation is experiencing a critical nursing shortage with nearly 200,000 projected openings for registered nurses every year over the next decade. The need is profound and our responsibility to meet this need is clear. This new lab will allow our students to practice critical decision making, refine their clinical judgment and gain confidence before they ever step foot in a hospital or clinical setting. The skills they gain in this building will ripple out for decades, strengthening hospitals, long-term facilities and community health centers across the region. Together, we’re not only breaking ground, we’re building the future of health care in Rockland County,” said Dr. William Mullaney, president of RCC.

“As nurse educators, our responsibility is to ensure that every graduate meets the highest standards of clinical competence, patient safety and professional practice. This expanded simulation lab allows our faculty to design complex, evidence-based scenarios that strengthen clinical judgment, communication and critical decision making. By integrating advanced simulation throughout the curriculum, we are preparing students to pass licensure exams and enter the workforce as practice‑ready nurses who can deliver safe, high‑quality care from their very first shift,” said Sara Annunziato, dean of Nursing, Health and Wellness.