Sonoma State is moving forward with a major renovation of Nichols Hall aimed at expanding and modernizing its nursing program, with construction expected to begin in mid-fall 2026.
According to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, the Nichols Hall building will be closed for approximately a year, with nursing programs temporarily moving out in summer 2026. School of Nursing and Health Sciences will be back into the newly renovated Nichols Hall by the following summer, though timelines remain tentative.
Unlike the extensive overhaul of Stevenson Hall a few years ago, Nichols Hall will not be completely gutted. Instead, the project will focus on upgrading and reconfiguring existing spaces to better serve the needs of nursing students and faculty.
Currently, the nursing program is spread across multiple buildings, such as Salazar and Nichols Hall, where some skills labs are located. Many of these labs were originally designed for chemistry and have been adapted over time.
“One of our biggest goals is to create a true home for nursing,” said Dr. Krista Altaker, Chair of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Right now we’re scattered, and our facilities require a lot of creativity and imagination from faculty to help the students in the classroom and labs.”
The renovation will centralize nursing programs in Nichols Hall, improving cohesion and creating purpose-built learning environments. Plans include upgraded simulation spaces designed to replicate real hospital settings, allowing students to develop clinical skills, critical thinking, and decision-making in low-risk, high-impact scenarios.
“These simulation rooms will allow students to feel like they’re in charge in a real clinical environment,” Dr. Altaker said. “That’s something we don’t currently have.”
Technology upgrades will also play a key role, particularly for small clinical groups of about eight students. The redesigned building will emphasize a more welcoming, functional environment, including opening the ground floor to create a brighter, more inviting space for students to gather and study.
A current nursing student said the renovation could significantly improve the sense of community within the program.
“While the Nichols Hall renovation may not directly impact my experience, I am very excited for future cohorts,” said Destiny Eikenberry, a third-year Pre-Licensure BSN student. “When the nursing program is centralized, it will be easiest to access advising, mentoring, and create a sense of belonging.”
Eikenberry added that having a dedicated space could strengthen collaboration and identity among nursing students. “It will create a ‘home base’ for nursing students,” she said. “There will be more opportunities for nursing-specific culture and connection with faculty and peers.”
“The renovated Nichols Hall will feature state-of-the-art simulation and skills labs designed to mirror hospital and clinical environments,” said Stacy Bosick, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “It will also create space for students to connect with faculty and each other outside the classroom, which has not previously been available to nursing students.”
The project also reflects a more broader trend in nursing education across California, where programs are expanding to meet additional growth in healthcare demands. Sonoma State plans to increase enrollment in two of its three Nursing programs, with further growth in the third program once the building is renovated.
“The project aligns with Sonoma State’s goal to become a hub of health sciences education in Northern California,” Bosick said. “It also makes strong use of legislative funding, including $16 million specifically earmarked for the growth and advancement of Nursing.”
“Our programs are deeply connected to the North Bay,” Dr. Altaker said. “Many of our graduates stay and work in the region, so expanding our capacity has a direct impact on the local healthcare workforce.”
The renovation is funded through one-time state and university allocations, designated specifically for infrastructure improvements. Nursing leadership has been closely involved in the design-build process, helping shape the project to meet the program’s evolving needs.
“Renovation of Nichols Hall will bring light to a corner of campus that has been neglected in recent years while providing a physical, energetic, and psychological home for Nursing,” Bosick said. “This investment highlights Sonoma State’s commitment to students, faculty, and the community, and supports continued quality nursing education in the region.”
When completed, the updated Nichols Hall is expected to provide a modern, centralized hub for nursing education – one that better reflects the realities of today’s healthcare environment while supporting future growth at Sonoma State.
