Sonoma State University began the $25 million renovation of a building on campus Tuesday as the university’s nursing and health sciences programs expand.

The university held a “wall-breaking” ceremony to mark the start of the project at Nichols Hall, a building that will house a new medical learning space. University leaders, nursing faculty and students, community representatives and elected officials attended the event.

Speakers included SSU president Michael Spagna, interim provost Stacey Bosick, nursing department chair Krista Altaker, nursing student Emily White, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson and state Assemblymember Damon Connolly.

A diverse group of people sit in white folding chairs outdoors, attentively facing forward during an event under bright sunlight.
Audience members attend the Sonoma State University wall-breaking ceremony in Rohnert Park on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Nichols Hall, a building on campus, is being renovated for the expanding health sciences program. (George Alfaro/Bay City News)

The three-story, 31,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1975 and named after Sonoma State’s founding president, Ambrose Nichols. Nichols Hall previously housed classrooms and office space for the arts and humanities department and will now welcome a new health sciences education facility.

“With the support of university leadership, School of Nursing faculty have endorsed a $25-million renovation that will create a modern, technologically advanced, and welcoming space to educate and prepare future generations of nurses to serve the North Bay region,” Bosick said in a news release.

Two individuals in hard hats use tools to break through an orange wall during a ceremonial event at Sonoma State University.
Workers use hammers to break through a large orange wall during an event at Sonoma State University.
Three individuals in hard hats and work gloves use hammers to break through a large orange panel.
Dignitaries take turns wielding a sledge hammer during a ceremonial wall breaking at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Tuesday. Nichols Hall, a building on campus, is being renovated for the expanding health sciences program. Left: Sonoma State University President Michael Spagna takes a swing. Center: State Assemblymember Damon Connolly prepares for his turn. Right: Nursing student Emily White and nursing department chair Krista Altakerat prepare to enlarge the growing hole. (George Alfaro/Bay City News)

The renovation will add modern simulation and skills laboratories designed to replicate hospital and clinical environments. The project also includes expanded lounge and study areas intended to support individual learning and collaboration.

Secured by North Bay legislators in 2025, funding for the Nichols Hall renovation is drawn from the $45 million Sonoma State Commitment, a funding package provided to SSU by the state Legislature, in conjunction with a credit line provided by the California State University system.

A rendering of Nichols Hall at Sonoma State University, showcasing its modern facade, first-floor layout with labeled spaces, and a welcoming lobby entrance.
A graphic rendering of the Nichols Hall renovation plan on display at Sonoma State University on Tuesday. (George Alfaro/Bay City News)

Sonoma State’s health sciences program is expanding as the university expects to see growth in student enrollment. The renovation of Nichols Hall is part of this broader effort to increase capacity in the bachelor’s nursing program, RN-to-BSN program, master’s nursing program and postgraduate psychiatric nursing certificate. The university is also in the process of developing a health sciences major.