Planning for the Future of Health

Calvin University has transformed its education system from a college to a university model, expanding its programs to students rooted in a Christian faith. Responding to growth in the health care field, it was important to the University to create a unified school for health-related programs and community leadership that embraces undergraduate students and adult learners seeking to continue their education in health care and health administration. GMB, alongside Calvin, developed a master plan to better understand the physical space requirements needed to ensure high quality educational experiences for School of Health students, as well as possible funding required to implement the plan and attract students over the next five years.

Calvin’s current health sciences programs are dispersed throughout the campus, so a main goal of the master plan was to connect and unify these physical program spaces for optimum effectiveness and interprofessional collaboration. The existing Science Building/ Devries Hall of Science/ North Hall is proposed to be the main hub for the School of Health. The introduction of a new hub will create a distinct identity and entrance for the school. This shift will enhance the accessibility, visibility and excitement surrounding the health programs, create a place for visitors to arrive, and establish a central location for health program administrative offices. This new use of space also allows the University to expand and enhance Calvin’s health science experiences with opportunities and space for research.

Calvin’s School of Health will extend the University’s work in community partnership throughout West Michigan, like their established community-based nursing partnerships, and will amplify relationships with key healthcare providers in the area. The master plan team held workshops with the Calvin Steering Committee, stakeholders from the University that included program faculty, and student groups. The team conducted several benchmarking tours in the Midwest to glean inspiration on space planning and student experience.

The School of Health campus projects are scheduled to be completed by the 2025/2026 school year to coincide with the University’s 150-year celebration.