Graham & Hyde Architects partnered with Olney Central College and the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District to deliver a transformative investment in healthcare education and workforce readiness. Funded through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, the $3.5 million Health Professions Center represents the most extensive renovation to OCC’s main building since its opening in 1974.
The scope of work included a 7,820-square-foot single-story addition and the renovation of 1,900 square feet within Wattleworth Hall. Graham & Hyde designed the facility to support hands-on training, strengthen connections between learning environments, and integrate seamlessly with the existing campus.
The Health Professions Center features two new classrooms, a flexible six-bed nursing skills lab, and two nursing simulation labs with an observation area that allow students to practice real-world, high-risk, low-volume scenarios in a safe and controlled setting. A new radiography classroom and energized lab—the first in IECC history—provides students with the opportunity to practice projections while building confidence and clinical readiness. The facility also includes faculty offices, a conference room, and a student commons to encourage collaboration and student engagement.
Through thoughtful planning and design, Graham & Hyde helped create a modern, realistic learning environment that reinforces IECC’s commitment to active learning and student success. By preparing graduates for in-demand healthcare careers, the Health Professions Center enhances the quality of care across Illinois while supporting long-term economic growth and opportunity.