Hancock Celebrates Grand Opening of New Student Health Center
NOVEMBER 20, 2024-- Allan Hancock College celebrated the grand opening of its new Student Health Center on Nov. 19 with a special ceremony attended by students, staff and faculty at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
The ceremony included a ribbon-cutting, speeches from college representatives and self-guided tours of the state-of-the-art 4,246-square-foot facility, which is dedicated to supporting students’ physical and mental well-being, enabling them to thrive academically and personally.
“With this new facility, we are providing vital resources that help address the challenges many of our students face, from food insecurity to health and wellness needs,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “All of us at Hancock are here to change the odds for our students, and today, we turn that vision into reality.”
The new center provides a welcoming and non-judgmental space for students to access comprehensive health and wellness services. Its services include nursing assessments, health counseling, treatment for minor injuries, reproductive health services and referrals to external healthcare providers. Those services are delivered by a team of professional nurses, nurse practitioners, and a medical advisor, all working within a holistic healthcare model.
“Our Student Health Center will serve as a sanctuary for care, support, and healing,” said Hancock Student Health Services Coordinator Alex de Jounge. “It will be a place where students can seek not only medical care but also mental health support and resources for maintaining a healthy and balanced life.”
The center also houses the Basic Needs Food Pantry run by the college’s Basic Needs Center, where students will be able to pick up free food.
Hancock Associated Student Body Government President Angela Ruiz said having so many health and wellness services in a single hub on campus is a significant benefit to students.
“For a lot of us, taking care of our health can be a challenge—whether it’s a cold that’s keeping us from class, mental health struggles that feel too big to handle, or just finding the time to check in with ourselves,” Ruiz said. “Having this Health Center on campus means that we no longer have to worry about where to go when we’re feeling off or need some support.”
The new center is located in building J on the northern end of the college’s Santa Maria campus. To learn more about Student Health Services at Hancock, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/studenthealth.
