Clayton State University announces a $14.5 million renovation to modernize the home of the College of Health

(March 16, 2026) - Clayton State University celebrated an exciting milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of the Harry S. Downs building. University leaders, students, Georgia State legislators and healthcare community partners participated in a ceremonial wall break using sledgehammers, marking the official start of the $14.5 million renovation to modernize the home of the College of Health. For this extensive construction, renovation and modernization project Clayton State University has selected the team that includes Impact Development Management, Jericho Designs, and Gay Construction.

People invited to speak at the construction announcement event included Dr. Georj L. Lewis the President of Clayton State University, Dr. Dwayne Hooks, Dean of the Clayton State University College of Health, State Representative Yasmin Neal of District 79, Yolanda Blackwell, Dental Hygiene Class of 2027 President, Natasha Campbell, Nursing Student Class of 2026; Paula Butts, Chief Nursing Officer at Piedmont Henry; Pat Horton, Georgia Center for Nursing Excellence, Chief Executive Officer; Ela Lena, Southern Regional Medical Center, President and CEO; and Dr. Jill Drake, Clayton State University, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Healthcare education has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Today’s students must learn in environments that mirror real clinical settings. The modernized space will create enhanced learning environments to support programs in Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Health Care Management.

The expanded skills labs, simulation suites, and dental clinic included in this renovation will allow our students to practice critical skills in realistic settings before they ever treat a patient. These improvements will strengthen Clayton State’s ability to prepare the next generation of health care professionals and expand opportunities for students.

“This renovation is about meeting the growing healthcare workforce needs of Georgia. Our region is experiencing rapid population growth and increasing demand for nurses, dental hygienists, healthcare administrators, and wellness professionals,” said Dr. Dwayne Hooks, Dean of the Clayton State University College of Health. “Expanding and modernizing our training spaces ensures Clayton State can continue preparing the highly skilled professionals our hospitals, clinics, and communities depend on.”

"I want to thank Gov. Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, and the House of Representatives and Senate, including House Appropriations Chairman Matt Hatchett and Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery, for their support of this critical investment in Georgia's healthcare workforce,” said Dr. Georj L. Lewis, President of Clayton State University.  “We also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our local legislative delegation for their tireless work and advocacy in helping bring this renovation to Clayton State University."

“At Clayton State, education is one of the most powerful pathways to social mobility. This renovated building will serve as a launchpad for students who aspire to careers in healthcare, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. By investing in modern learning environments, we are investing directly in their futures,” according to Dr. Hooks.

“Our healthcare partners have been instrumental in shaping this vision. Hospitals and health systems throughout the region rely on Clayton State graduates, and this renovation strengthens our ability to work together to prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders, “Hooks added.

An Overview of the Harry S. Downs Construction Project

“On the first floor, we have redesigned the two-story open atrium space to be closed for the nurse program, with skilled lab stations and about 15 skills beds. Five stations that will be closed rooms with state-of-the-art equipment and sliding glass doors,” said Whitney Shaw, Director of Interiors at Jericho Design Group, LLC. “Also, we have two debrief rooms, so after some labs, students and faculty can discuss their performance. As in a real-life healthcare setting, we do have exam rooms. We have two classrooms on the first floor, with capacities ranging from 30 to 70 students. This is very important, as having dental hygiene and nursing in one building provides that flexibility.”

“On the second floor, we have mostly faculty space. With the growth of the programs in one building, we need a flexible space with touchdown workstations so that faculty can have a place in the building and be there with their students and staff,” according to Shaw. “We also have the dean's suite, which houses our executive dean, administrative staff, and all the program chairs.”

Shaw described, “On the third floor, we have designed the former classrooms to house the entire dental hygiene suite, expanding its cohort from 10 to about 22 dental operatories.”

“Finally, to make this building an all-in-one College of Health learning and study space, we have included a student center on the first floor, which will provide an area for students to stay in the building and have a snack from vending machines. It’s an area for students to study, sit, and relax, so they don’t have to travel anywhere else around campus when they have downtime between classes,” Shaw explained.