ELAC's Legacy of Excellence Continues with Groundbreaking of New Academic Facility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2024
News Media Contact:
Kevin Jimenez, College Public Relations Manager
(323) 265-8807 | @email
(From Left to Right: Interim Vice Chancellor Leigh Sata, Interim ELAC President Monte Perez, LACCD Trustee David Vela, LACCD Interim Chancellor Alberto J. Román, LACCD Board President Nichelle Henderson, ELAC Administration of Justice Student Alexis Hernandez, ELAC Nursing Student Melissa Badillo & ELAC Respiratory Therapy Student Moises Garcia)
Monterey Park, CA — The vision of a best-in-class class Science Career & Mathematics Complex at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) is one step closer to reality with the commencement of construction on the Nursing, Allied Health and Administration of Justice building. As a leading STEAM institution in California, this new facility will provide students with the essential academic and hands-on training for in-demand careers in nursing, respiratory therapy, health technicians, administration of justice.
“The voters trusted LACCD to bring forth projects that create the opportunities for first-class workforce training,” said Nichelle Henderson, President of the Board of Trustees said. “Investing in facilities that create real-life scenarios to give our students critical hands-on training to practice critical skills ensure the smoothest transition from student to professional.”
Designed by DLR Group Architects, the 54,000 square foot building will feature skill and simulation laboratories designed to replicate real-world hospital settings, crime scenes and numerous emergency scenarios. All academic spaces will provide an immersive learning experience, enhanced by the virtual and augmented reality learning environments.
“LACCD’s commitment to student success starts with best-in-class sustainable, equitable and enriching learning environments,” said Alberto J. Roman, Interim Chancellor. “The new Nursing, Allied Health and Administration of Justice building exemplifies how LACCD is re-imaging the classroom and learning experience with the innovative tools of tomorrow.”
To be constructed by Swinterton, the anticipated LEED Silver building will bring the District one step closer to achieving net zero by 2040. The project’s new solar roof and carport photovoltaics will generate approximately 826 MWh annually, offsetting the building’s average annual use. The exterior areas will offer new, sustainable soft and hardscaped areas with new trees for inviting studying and gathering spaces.
“Since 1945, East Los Angeles College has been the beacon for academic opportunity and upward mobility for the underserved communities we serve,” said Monte Perez, ELAC Interim President. “The new building will enable us to remove temporary bungalows, transforming the Monterey Park campus into a modern institution of higher education that honors the legacy of past, present and future students with renewed aspirations and possibilities.”
Since 2001, LACCD has completed over 800 bond-funded projects, transforming the nine colleges into forward-looking institutions of higher education. Cordoba Corporation provides on-site, college project oversight and the districtwide program management is provided by Jacobs. The Nursing, Allied Health and Administration of Justice is funded by Measure CC, the 2016 voter-approved $3.3 billion bond. The project is anticipated to open in the spring of 2027.
About East Los Angeles College: ELAC is the largest of nine two-year community colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), www.laccd.edu. More information about ELAC is available online at http://www.elac.edu/. Follow ELAC on social media, Instagram @ELACHuskies, X @EastLACollege, and Facebook @Eastlacollege.
