The projected $234.7 million expansion and renovation efforts are components of the
district’s master and strategic plans. Many of the new projects reflect discussions
with local ISDs, local municipalities, and the business community about ways to better
serve a fast-growing population with changing workforce needs.
“The college regularly meets with local community and business leaders to discuss ways that we can be better partners, providing opportunities to our students and planning to meet the future needs of our service area together,” said Dr. Neil Matkin, Collin College district president.
Dr. Bill King, executive vice president for the college, emphasized the reason for coordination as a way to ensure that these groups have a voice in the future of the college.
“These discussions help us align our goals for a better future for residents and,
most importantly, our students,” said Dr. King.
With a target opening of Spring 2027, the first major new construction project Collin
has planned is a 120,000-square-foot, three-story, $70 million health sciences building
at the Frisco Campus. About 90,000 square feet will be initially built out with the
remaining 30,000 square feet held as shell space for future programs.
Similar in size to the Cary A. Israel Health Sciences Center at the McKinney Campus, the new facility will provide additional space for established health science programs, including LVN-to-RN Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Physical Therapy Assistant, and others, while also creating learning spaces for new imaging and diagnostics programs that will serve a growing healthcare sector in Collin County.
“The allied health and nursing shortage is very critical, and discussions with area hospitals have reinforced that fact,” said Dr. Abe Johnson, Collin College senior vice president of campus operations. “This facility will help meet the need for qualified technicians and professionals at our local hospitals.”
Dr. Diana Hopes, provost of the Frisco and Celina campuses, believes the new facility will be a boon for students and local healthcare providers.
“It will expand and complement the allied health and nursing programs offered at the McKinney Campus,” Dr. Hopes said. “The new programs will open up even more opportunities for students seeking healthcare careers.”
An additional project underway is a planned career and technology education (CTE) building at the Wylie Campus. While that project is still early in planning, it is expected to be between 50,000-60,000 square feet with a cost of $45 million. The CTE building will offer learning spaces for the Welding, HVAC, and Veterinary Technology programs and other programs to be named later.
“We look forward to an expansion of workforce programs and classes in the southeast part of Collin County,” said Dr. Mary McRae, provost of the Wylie and Farmersville campuses. “We have a great relationship and collaboration with the community. This new building and these programs will open the door even further to meeting its workforce needs.”
The building will be constructed to allow for later expansion, if needed.