The University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP) recently held a ceremony to mark the groundbreaking of the new Clinical Sciences Building. The $96.8 million, 74,000-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for advanced health care education, housing the state’s first public College of Optometric Medicine, the Occupational Therapy program, and additional clinical sciences programs, which the school expects will significantly impact health care access across the state. The building is designed to support hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workforce development across southeastern North Carolina. The project represents years of planning and collaboration, supported in part by state funding secured by members of the North Carolina General Assembly.

The Clinical Sciences Building will feature specialized learning and clinical spaces, including an optometric clinic, clinical exam rooms, simulation labs, and collaborative student areas designed to enhance the academic experience. Construction is expected to continue through 2028, and its official opening is currently scheduled for August 2028.