Governor Edwards Announces New Delgado Academic and Workforce Facilities Projects

August 08, 2018

On Wednesday, August 8, Governor John Bel Edwards announced three academic and workforce development facilities projects.  The announcements occurred during a press event at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans (LSU Health New Orleans).  The facilities projects are for Delgado Community College and a sister institution in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) and they include partnerships with the Algiers Development District and LSU Health New Orleans.

The projects are: the Delgado Community College Advanced Technology Building on the West Bank Campus in Algiers; the Delgado Community College Allied Health, Nursing and Culinary Arts Building in the downtown New Orleans Medical District; and the SOWELA Technical Community College Culinary, Gaming and Hospitality Building in Lake Charles, LA.

"Louisiana has one of the best community and technical college systems in the nation, and these projects are not only proof of that but represent the commitment we have to providing educational programs and services to help develop a strong and qualified workforce," said Gov. Edwards. "As a result of the collaborative efforts that have made these projects possible, thousands of students will have new opportunities to improve their lives and communities and industries will benefit from a continuously developing and skilled labor pool. "          

"Our community and technical colleges provide valuable post-secondary opportunities for our students," said Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter-Reed. "Today's announcement, and the partnerships that have made them possible, will enhance career and technical training and ultimately the talent developed to fuel our economy.  We are excited about these collaborative efforts and look forward to the benefits that lie ahead for our students and our state."

"Today's announcement signifies that higher education and policy makers are working together to ensure that we provide the citizens of Louisiana access to critically important training opportunities," said LCTCS President Monty Sullivan.  "Our economy's greatest asset is a skilled workforce, and facilities like these are a means by which we will generate more graduates and more qualified workers providing them with a competitive advantage on day one."   

The three facilities projects are the result of Act 360 passed by the Louisiana Legislature during the 2013 Legislative Session to modernize and expand academic and workforce development facilities at technical and community colleges.  Since its passage, 11 Act 360 projects are complete and providing services to students.

"Our collaboration with Delgado Community College continues to strengthen, contributing to the health of our people and the biosciences economy while carrying forward a proud history of health education," said Dr. Larry Hollier, chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans.

“Educational partnerships like the one between Delgado and LSU Health New Orleans have lasting benefits for our community as well as our institutions, and are one reason why higher education is key to a brighter future and better way of life in our city and region,” said Joan Y. Davis, chancellor of Delgado Community College.

Also participating in the announcement were New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell; LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman James Williams; LCTCS Board of Supervisors Chairman Stephen Toups; LSU President F. King Alexander; LCTCS President Monty Sullivan; LSUHSC Chancellor Larry Hollier; and Delgado Chancellor Joan Davis.

Project Details

Delgado Community College Advanced Technology Building, West Bank Campus

• Delgado and the Algiers Development District have entered into a historic partnership that will provide the space to build a 35,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Building.

• This facility will have the capacity to provide instruction for 2,000 students.

• With a focus on production, engineering and maintenance, the Advanced Technology Building will be a workforce pipeline for the industrial needs of the West Bank community.

Delgado Community College Allied Health, Nursing and Culinary Arts Building

• Louisiana Community and Technical College System and Louisiana State University through the respective Boards of Supervisors have entered into an agreement of intent to authorize the use of the current LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine building on Tulane Avenue.

• The use of the LSU Health New Orleans Building will consolidate all 28 existing Delgado allied health programs, serving 6,000 students, into a single facility with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories.

• The building will also support Delgado's culinary arts and hospitality management programs, which serve more than 1,200 students.

Delgado Community College will celebrate 100 years of service to the New Orleans region in 2021. The oldest and largest community college in Louisiana, Delgado provides instruction online and at six locations. Fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Delgado offers students the most comprehensive array of education and training services available in the 10-parish New Orleans region. Additionally, Delgado has articulation agreements with most of the state’s four-year colleges and universities that allow students to smoothly transfer their Delgado credits to bachelor’s degree programs. As well as offering degrees and transferable college credits, Delgado provides diplomas and certificates in many professional and technical areas. Workforce development is a priority at Delgado, hence the college’s motto: “Education that works!” www.dcc.edu