Pine Building Renovation to Support Growth in Allied Health and Nursing Programs
GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Wayne Community College (WCC) celebrated a major milestone this week as it officially broke ground on its newest capital construction project — a significant renovation and expansion of the Pine Building that will enhance the College’s Allied Health and Nursing programs.
The groundbreaking ceremony drew a crowd of elected officials, community leaders, faculty, staff, and students, all gathered to mark the beginning of a project designed to meet the region’s growing demand for trained healthcare professionals.
Expanding Facilities for Allied Health and Nursing
The Pine Building project includes a new 120-seat tiered lecture hall, providing expanded space for classroom instruction and collaborative learning. The entire first floor of the building will be renovated to accommodate the growing Allied Health division, and the existing gravel parking lot will be paved to improve accessibility and convenience for students and staff.
WCC President Dr. Patty Pfeiffer emphasized the importance of the project for the College’s future growth and its mission to educate a skilled healthcare workforce.
“These changes will affect not only the physical structure on our campus but also our capacity to operate and educate,” said Dr. Pfeiffer. “Wayne Community College is prepared to build upon the work we’re already doing in graduating skilled healthcare professionals, and in order to provide a sufficient learning environment for them, expansion becomes the first step.”
Addressing the Statewide Nursing Shortage
The expansion comes at a critical time as North Carolina faces a projected nursing shortage in the coming years. Michelle Garon, chair of WCC’s Nursing Department, said the renovations will allow the College to increase enrollment and produce more qualified nurses to serve the community.
“The College’s nursing faculty members uphold the highest standards of academic and clinical excellence,” Garon said. “The knowledge they pass on to even more students due to these additions and renovations will transform lives and the future of healthcare.”
Dr. Jessie Tucker, president and CEO of UNC Health Wayne, also addressed the crowd, underscoring the importance of investing in local healthcare education.
“Today we celebrate what I believe to be a strong supply-side solution to this preventable challenge—exponentially increasing the availability and affordability of nursing and other health training opportunities, right here in our community,” Tucker said.
Construction and Community Collaboration
The project is being led by Daniels and Daniels Construction in partnership with Moseley Architects. Construction is expected to be completed by the fall 2026 semester.
Jeremiah Daniels, president of Daniels and Daniels Construction, shared his enthusiasm for being part of a project with lasting community impact.
“It gives a lot more value and meaning to us to not just be building a building but solving a problem and doing something with our community,” Daniels said.
Joe Daughtery, Wayne County Commissioner and member of the WCC Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude for the collaboration that made the project possible.
“Needing more space and upgraded features to provide for more students is a good ‘problem’ to have,” Daughtery said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support the needs of the College and the community as we collectively implement plans to bring about a promising future.”
A Vision for the Future
As Wayne Community College embarks on this ambitious expansion, the Pine Building renovation stands as a symbol of progress — one that not only supports the College’s continued growth but also strengthens the region’s capacity to meet the ever-increasing healthcare demands of Eastern North Carolina.
