AccelerateMS Fuels UMMC School of Nursing Expansion in Oxford with ARPA Support

08/11/2025

JACKSON, Miss. — North Mississippi’s future nurses are now learning in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) School of Nursing in Oxford, thanks in part to funding provided by AccelerateMS through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The major renovations, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this month, mark a significant investment in nursing education and workforce development for the region.

With new high-tech classrooms, simulation labs equipped with advanced manikins, and expanded faculty space, the renovated facility enables the UMMC School of Nursing to grow and better prepare students for careers in modern healthcare. Leaders from across the state joined faculty, students, and community members to tour the new and improved areas, which were made possible by state funding and federal support.

“This grant has been instrumental in equipping our simulation center and skills lab with advanced technology, supplies, and equipment, including high-fidelity manikins that allow students to practice clinical skills in a safe, controlled environment,” said Dr. Sharon McElwain, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the UMMC School of Nursing. “The ability to expand our Traditional BSN program to Oxford is a wonderful step forward, not only for our students but for the North Mississippi region. Aspiring nurses who wish to remain close to home now have access to high-quality nursing education and can stay and serve their communities after graduation. By increasing access to nursing education locally, we are contributing to the growth of the nursing workforce.”

“Accelerate MS is proud to support the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School of Nursing as it shapes the future of health care in North Mississippi,” said Shelika Hooker, Director of Grants Management at AccelerateMS. “These program expansions represent more than just facility upgrades; they are investments in people, in opportunity, and in healthier communities. By increasing access to high-quality nursing education through innovative, hands-on learning environments, we are helping to build a stronger, more resilient health care workforce for generations to come.”

The Traditional BSN program in Oxford launched in Summer 2024, and recently welcomed a second cohort in Summer 2025. Enrollment at the Oxford campus is approaching 200 students across its Traditional and Accelerated BSN programs. The South Oxford Center’s fourth floor—formerly hospital rooms—has been transformed into modern labs that replicate real clinical settings, enhancing the educational experience for nursing students. The Oxford renovations complement ongoing construction of a new School of Nursing building at UMMC’s Jackson campus, reflecting a statewide commitment to growing Mississippi’s health care workforce.

Accelerate MS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies that connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations with complementary missions, Accelerate MS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community, and statewide economic prosperity.