Joined by OhioHealth and other community leaders, Columbus State Community College kicked off construction of OhioHealth Hall, the new academic building that will enable the college to double the number of graduates in high-demand healthcare fields.
Central Ohio is experiencing intense demand for skilled professionals across nursing, respiratory care and surgical technology — all fields that will train in OhioHealth Hall. When completed in 2027, OhioHealth Hall will feature hands-on labs, simulation spaces, classrooms and other amenities that foster student success.
"OhioHealth Hall will have a huge impact on our community by preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals that will care for local residents for generations to come," said David Harrison, president of Columbus State Community College. "Our healthcare programs lead to well-paying, meaningful jobs that also address key community needs."
While Columbus State partners with all the region's healthcare providers, the college's healthcare strategy is fueled by a public-private partnership with OhioHealth.
The college is funding the $66.5 million academic building using bond proceeds approved by Franklin County residents. OhioHealth provided a $25 million philanthropic endowment to the college to support instruction and other operating costs of Columbus State's expanded healthcare education programs.
OhioHealth's contribution is one of the largest-ever donations to an American community college. The Columbus State Foundation is working to raise an additional $10 million to support the procurement of equipment for the new space.
The 80,000-sq.-ft., three-story OhioHealth Hall is Columbus State's first new building since the 2019 completion of the Mitchell Hall, which houses the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. OhioHealth Hall will be built adjacent to Mitchell Hall, at the southwest corner of Cleveland Avenue and East Spring Street.
The college continues to experience strong growth in healthcare fields, including the addition of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that began enrolling students in Autumn 2024. In all, the college enrolls about 1,700 students in nursing, surgical technology, medical imaging, respiratory therapy and sterile processing, the five programs at the heart of the healthcare growth strategy.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services estimates that Ohio will experience a 14.5 percent increase in healthcare support jobs from 2020 through 2030 in its Ohio Job Outlook Employment Projections report, far outpacing employment growth in any other sector. Vital healthcare roles in central Ohio are already underfilled, and the volume of industry-ready graduates from all areas of higher education institutions combined can't make up the deficit. In central Ohio alone, the Aspen Institute predicts the need for 9,000 additional health care workers by 2028 to serve a growing and aging population.
Columbus State is using the proceeds of the $300 million Franklin County bond issue, as well as state capital funding and public-private partnerships, to invest in academic programs throughout the college.
In addition to work on OhioHealth Hall, Columbus State in August started construction on Franklin Hall, which is being transformed into a modern classroom building. Franklin Hall, which previously had a blend of administrative, student service and instructional functions, is scheduled for completion at the end of 2026.
Other bond-funded projects include upgrades to classrooms, specialized labs in high-growth industries and deferred maintenance projects.
Through public-private partnerships, Columbus State also is working to address the non-academic needs of students.
For example, Woda Cooper Companies is developing 186 units of affordable workforce housing complex, with 20 units dedicated for the exclusive use of Columbus State students, adjacent to campus. The privately funded Opportunity Pointe development was facilitated by the college's real estate affiliate, Columbus State Community Partners. Opportunity Pointe will begin construction in the second quarter of 2026.
In addition, Columbus State and the YMCA of Central Ohio have announced plans to partner on a new Columbus State YMCA, if funding for the project is supported by a student vote taking place this month. The proposed $38 million facility, to be located at Cleveland Avenue and East Long Street, would be funded by a student fee assessed each semester. Pending the student vote and approval by the Board of Trustees and Ohio Department of Higher Education, the building is expected to open by Autumn 2028.
