What is the cost of the new Samuel Merritt University campus in Oakland?

The new flagship campus for Samuel Merritt University in downtown Oakland comes at a cost of $240 million.

How will the new Samuel Merritt University campus impact downtown Oakland?

The new campus is expected to bring approximately 2,000 students and 500 faculty and staff to downtown Oakland daily, acting as a vital institution for revitalization.

What is the projected registered nurse shortage in California by 2033?

The United States is facing a nurse shortage, and California is estimated to have a 17% shortage of registered nurses by 2033.

Home / Education / Samuel Merritt University Boosts Oakland

Samuel Merritt University Boosts Oakland

29 Jan

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Summary

New campus anchors downtown Oakland's revitalization efforts.
2,000 students and 500 staff to fill urban core daily.
University aims to combat projected 17% RN shortage by 2033.

Samuel Merritt University Boosts Oakland

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) has opened its new 10-story, 260,000-square-foot flagship campus in downtown Oakland. This significant $240 million investment is poised to revitalize the urban core, drawing approximately 2,000 students and 500 faculty and staff daily. City officials, including Mayor Lee, view SMU as a crucial "anchor institution" to combat high commercial vacancy rates and bolster foot traffic, positioning Oakland as a workforce development hub.

This expansion directly addresses the escalating healthcare crisis, particularly the projected shortage of registered nurses. SMU President Dr. Ching-Hua Wang highlighted that California is expected to face a 17% shortage of registered nurses by 2033, a concern amplified by recent events like the Kaiser strike. East Bay Congresswoman Lateefah Simon underscored the university's role in "breeding healers" and presented a million-dollar check, secured through federal funding, to support the institution's mission.