Sam Houston State Opens $70M Health Professions Building in Conroe

Sam Houston State University completed a $70 million Health Professions Building in Conroe to expand graduate-level health programs amid Texas's struggle to find nurses and other medical professionals.

The new building will host four master's-level programs that prepare students for high-demand health vocations. University officials said the investment is part of a larger plan to boost SHSU's workforce contribution across the state.

The building expands the university's presence in Conroe and provides clinical training, simulation labs, and collaborative learning spaces. Officials said the increase comes as hospitals and health systems statewide face staffing shortages in nursing and allied health.

Population growth, an aging workforce, and rising demand have led to a nursing shortage in Texas. According to university authorities, the new Health Professions Building will produce more qualified professionals for Montgomery County and adjacent areas.

To meet regional labor demands, SHSU has steadily expanded its health sciences footprint by investing in infrastructure and academic programming. Near major medical institutions, the Conroe campus supports hospital and community health care relationships.

The new building will contain four advanced clinical practice and health-related master's programs. The programs combine classroom learning with hands-on training and real-world experience, according to university officials.

The opening is one of SHSU's greatest capital investments in Montgomery County. Local officials have stressed the economic and public health benefits of training more health professionals locally, especially as the region grows.

University representatives expect the building to serve as a regional health education hub for years to come, boosting student enrollment and workforce development.