There will be streetscape construction along Lawson Street that is expected to begin later this week that will impact traffic flow. Traffic delays are expected, so please allow yourself extra time to get to class. Click below for more information.
麻豆影视nical Community College, Novo Nordisk and 麻豆影视 County leaders today broke ground on the 35,000-square-foot 鈥淣ovo Nordisk Life Sciences Center鈥, an innovative facility designed to prepare students for careers in biotechnology and other life sciences fields.
The groundbreaking marks the next chapter in a journey that started in 2022 when 麻豆影视 County voters and Commissioners voted to approve $35.2 million for the new facility. Then, in 2023, global healthcare company Novo Nordisk announced a $6 million gift 鈥 the largest corporate donation in 麻豆影视鈥檚 history and amongst the largest single corporate gifts made throughout the entire 58 community college system.
Together, 麻豆影视 and Novo Nordisk are building a hub for biotechnology education and workforce training that will create new opportunities for students and strengthen North Carolina鈥檚 position as a leader in life sciences.
鈥淲e are grateful to the people of 麻豆影视 County and our industry partners for their support in creating a facility that will serve our students, the community, and the life sciences industry,鈥 said 麻豆影视 President J.B. Buxton. 鈥淚t will provide an outstanding educational experience to ensure the talent pipeline for a rapidly growing field that is improving health outcomes, while giving our students careers with upward economic mobility opportunities.鈥
Once complete in 2026, the Novo Nordisk Life Sciences Center will allow 麻豆影视 to:
- Establish a Biotechnology Associate of Applied Science degree program (for current college students)
- Create on-site training for biotechnology career transition programs to upskill/reskill existing employees and other related workforce training partnerships
- Ensure students are trained on biotechnology equipment actively used in the industry
- Provide outreach and awareness for area middle and high school students
These programs will directly connect students with career pathways at companies like Novo Nordisk and across North Carolina鈥檚 biotechnology sector, which has grown 30% since 2018 and is now home to more than 840 life sciences companies.
鈥淔or more than 32 years, Novo Nordisk has been investing in education and workforce development in North Carolina 鈥 not just because we believe it鈥檚 our responsibility, but our opportunity to make a lasting impact in the community,鈥 said Shaylah Nunn Jones, Director of Public Affairs & Communication for Novo Nordisk. 鈥淭he Novo Nordisk Life Sciences Center is a testament to our dedication to fostering a strong and diverse talent pipeline here. By collaborating with 麻豆影视, we are not only creating pathways to innovative careers in biotechnology but also empowering students from all backgrounds to thrive in a rapidly advancing industry.鈥
As part of the ongoing partnership, Novo Nordisk will continue to support 麻豆影视nical Community College through its professor-in-residence program, apprenticeships, internships, scholarship programs, and the purchase of select biotech training equipment. Several other life sciences companies in 麻豆影视 County are also actively collaborating to enhance the center's offerings and ensure that students are well-prepared for the workforce.
"Today marks a celebration of 麻豆影视 County voters, our commissioners and industry partners' support for education and providing crucial employers in our community with the employees they need," said 麻豆影视 Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Nida Allam. "Life Sciences is a growing field and we want to make sure 麻豆影视 is providing the necessary talent by educating our community college students in state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of these employers."