An artist’s rendering of Hofstra’s new Science and Innovation Center, which is scheduled to be completed by December 2022. // Photo courtesy of news.hofstra.edu
A new 75,000 square foot Science and Innovation Center will soon become the new home of Hofstra University’s Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science. Construction on the Science and Innovation Center, located across from Guthart Hall, is expected to be completed by December of 2022, with the Center opening in 2023.
Construction on the Center officially began following a groundbreaking ceremony on June 10, 2021. Former Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz, Hofstra University Trustee David S. Mack and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin were in attendance, along with other key figures involved in the construction and development of the Center.
“I’m really proud because this is an area where students who go into these programs feel like there is a return on their investment and there are jobs at the end of that journey,” Rabinowitz said in an interview during his final week in office. He said one of his greatest accomplishments while president was the expansion of the engineering, computer science and natural science programs, as well as the creation of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.
The building will also serve as an expansion of the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. Funding for the building came from a $25 million Empire State Development grant, as well as a $2 million grant from the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council.
“We are excited about the innovation that can occur between our nursing students and engineering students,” said founding dean of the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, Kathleen Gallo. “Together, they can work together to solve problems and challenges that are in healthcare today.”
This is the inaugural semester for the Hofstra Northwell Nursing Program, which has launched three new programs: an undergraduate nursing program, a doctoral nursing program, and a specialization in nurse anesthesiology. The Hofstra Northwell program will occupy the third and fourth floors of the Science and Innovation Center with state-of-the-art laboratories, simulation technology and equipment.
The Science and Innovation Center is designed for the Engineering and Nursing Programs. Senior physician assistant student, Andrew Cardell, said he supports the nursing program having its own space, but wishes the same was extended to PA students.
“I do feel like the PA Program could also use more space,” Cardell said. “I think our resources are very well allocated and I feel we have all the tools we need to succeed as future PAs and nurses. I would like more resources provided to offering students free equipment”
Sina Rabbany, Dean of the DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, said he is anticipating the exposure that the Science and Innovation Center will bring to the University, and specifically to the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science. “We are excited about the opportunities this is going to create for our students, [and] more importantly, the visibility it will give us,” he said.
Other students hope the new building will help level the playing field for all students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
“More [diversity] in STEM makes the world better,” said senior mechanical engineering major Edward Mabeza. Mabeza said he appreciates the dedication to STEM programs at Hofstra – the Science and Innovation Center demonstrates Hofstra’s intent to invest and innovate for future generations.
