Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the completion of Hofstra University’s $75 million energy-efficient Science and Innovation Center in Uniondale, Long Island. The new, 75,000-square-foot Center is a shared facility for the Hofstra/Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies and the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science. With this state-of-the-art facility, Hofstra University will provide students with a dynamic STEM education that will shape the next generation of scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals. Empire State Development supported this project with a $25 million capital grant as part of the Transformative Investment Program funding allocated to Long Island and $2 million from the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council.
“With the launch of Hofstra’s Science and Innovation Center, we’re not just creating a state-of-the-art facility, we’re nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is committed to investing in the education and jobs of the future and ensuring that we prepare students for the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century.”
Hofstra University’s Science and Innovation Center is a union-built, modern facility that fosters dynamic learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The Center offers students immersive, hands-on experiences across STEM fields through features like a full medical and surgical simulation wing, clinical skills and patient care labs, and two simulated operating room spaces. The facility also houses expansive labs for computer architecture, robotics, bioengineering, virtual reality applications, and more. Students have access to advanced tools in spaces including a large makerspace, big data lab, and tissue culture facility to acquire research and innovation skills. This innovative facility will accelerate student success while also energizing workforce development in the region.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Hofstra Science and Innovation Center marks a pivotal moment in academia, where we are not just opening doors but building bridges to a brighter future by empowering students with real-world skills. The Center will have a profound impact as graduates emerge as highly capable leaders across STEM fields, ready to meet the evolving demands of our dynamic world with their fresh perspectives. By investing in hands-on, cross-disciplinary learning, we are ensuring the innovators solving tomorrow’s greatest challenges begin their journey here.”
Empire State Development Board Chairman Kevin Law said, “As we celebrate the inauguration of Hofstra’s Science and Innovation Center, we ignite a beacon of progress, illuminating the path toward an education and workforce ecosystem focused on innovation and adaptability. This Center will empower students to shape the future and drive positive change on Long Island and across the State.”
State Senator Kevin Thomas said, “With historic funding from the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council and Governor Hochul, we are re-energizing Long Island’s biotechnology, engineering, and healthcare industries. The new Science and Innovation Center at Hofstra University will attract talent from around the world and boost our local economy. I look forward to seeing watching their cutting-edge technology and research come to life.”
Assemblymember Taylor Darling said, “Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to Hofstra University’s Science and Innovation Center demonstrates the profound importance of empowering our students and our tomorrow. This cutting-edge facility not only nurtures budding scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals but also fuels innovation, accelerates progress, and shapes leaders who will tackle the challenges of tomorrow. With state-of-the-art resources and unwavering support, New York is fostering a generation of pioneers, ensuring our state remains at the forefront of positive change in the fields of engineering, biotechnology, and medicine.”
Assemblymember Ed Ra said, “Hofstra University’s Science and Innovation Center is a testament to the power of investment in education and innovation, and most importantly in our students. This state-of-the-art facility not only enhances the educational experience for students but also positions Long Island, and our state as a whole, as a hub for cutting-edge research and development.”
Hofstra President Susan Poser said, “Hofstra University is excited to open the Science and Innovation Center, the newest and largest classroom and academic building on campus. This state-of-the-art facility with its high-tech, cutting-edge equipment, will offer the most up-to-date education and training for the engineers and nurses of tomorrow, helping to meet the workforce goals and economic growth of Long Island and New York State.”
LIREDC Co-Chairs Linda Armyn, President & CEO at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Dr. John Nader, President of Farmingdale State College said, “The Science and Innovation Center represents the future of education—one where students don’t just study concepts, but actively experience and engage them through hands-on learning. With this state-of-the-art facility, Hofstra is empowering the next generation of leaders who will shape the workforce with their talents across healthcare, engineering, technology, and research.”
Chair of the Hofstra Board of Trustees Donald Schaeffer said, “The Science and Innovation Center represents the future of education—one where students don’t just study concepts, but actively experience and engage them through hands-on learning. With this state-of-the-art facility, Hofstra is empowering the next generation of leaders who will shape the workforce with their talents across healthcare, engineering, technology, and research.”
Dean of the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies Renee McLeod-Sordjan said, “Our new learning space in the Science and Innovation Center is the embodiment of Michael Dowling’s vision and the Hofstra Northwell partnership. It is a beacon of quality healthcare education for students studying medicine, nursing, cardiopulmonary perfusion, and physician assistant studies – leveraging the latest technology and the tremendous resources of the integrated Northwell Health’s network of facilities, team members and mentors. Today we celebrate it’s opening, and we look forward to tomorrow where we can do the important work of saving and improving lives.”
Founding Dean of the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies Kathleen Gallo said, “It’s gratifying to see this idea – creating a state-of-the-art nursing and PA learning facility – come to life. Three years ago, when we started the undergraduate nursing program at Hofstra, we envisioned being able to bring the Northwell experience to campus and provide specialized hands-on simulation experiential learning. We leveraged the expertise at the Center for Learning and Innovation at Northwell as they have been the national leaders in this area for over two decades. Today, with that vision realized, Hofstra Northwell will be able to produce the most qualified nurses for the Northwell Health network or wherever they practice in the future. I’m humbled to have played a part.”
Dean of the DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science Sina Rabbany said, “This is more than just a building. It’s a hub of possibilities fusing cutting-edge technology, academic excellence, and collaboration which is at the heart of innovation. Our engineering and computer science programs grow every year, and this facility will transform the way our students engage with course materials. As we prepare the next generation of scientists, builders, coders, and most importantly problem-solvers – giving them the best tools will produce the best results.”
Associate Professor of Engineering and Principal Investigator on the Grant Project Edward Currie said, “To prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s high-tech environment, we need the fastest and most sophisticated computer processing available. This isn’t just about computer sciences – this HPC cluster is vital for classroom instruction and research in STEM fields, including biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering.”
Hofstra University’s Science and Innovation Center lays the foundation for graduates to emerge as pioneering leaders and innovators in diverse fields such as biotechnology, engineering, and healthcare. New York State’s investment energizes the region’s 21st-century workforce to address the pressing challenges of our modern era. As science and technology continue accelerating to transform our world, New York is investing in its students to ensure they are at the forefront of positive change. With the State’s support, the Center fosters a dynamic learning environment where New York’s best young minds can gain the experience needed to meet pressing needs in engineering, biotech, medicine, and beyond. This transformative investment in education will pay dividends by cultivating New York’s 21st-century workforce.
