Press Release: Columbia-Greene Community College Launches Licensed Practical Nurse Program to Meet Regional Workforce Needs
Regional Economy Projected to receive $4.5 million Boost over Five Years
Photo by Angela Rolon
HUDSON, N.Y. (Oct. 28, 2025) – Columbia-Greene Community College (C-GCC) is proud to announce the launch of a new Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, with the first cohort set to begin in January 2026. This dynamic new offering is a 15-month program, designed to address a critical workforce need across the Capital Region and Hudson Valley, while providing an affordable pathway into the healthcare profession. The LPN program will include clinical training, academic preparation, and the hands-on experience needed to enter one of the most in-demand fields in the region. The LPN program joins a growing portfolio of career-ready academic offerings at C-GCC, reinforcing the college’s role as a regional hub for workforce development and opportunity.
A 2024 report from the Center for Health Workforce Studies at UAlbany’s School of Public Health, found a persistent shortage of licensed practical nurses in all health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care, and home health services. Specifically, a survey of 373 healthcare organizations found that licensed practical nurses are among the most difficult to recruit and retain, partially driven by the relatively small number of available LPNs in the workforce. That data underscores the need for adaptation by our program offerings.
“This program reflects Columbia-Greene’s deep commitment to supporting our community,” said Dr. Victoria Walsh, President of Columbia-Greene Community College. “As the demand for qualified healthcare professionals continues to rise, we are proud to be part of the solution, with licensed practical nurses among the most sought-after roles in rural and underserved areas. The economic impact is also noteworthy, as we project 30 graduates from the program per year, each of whom will see an average annual salary increase of over $20,000. The higher their income is, the more economic activity we will see in our community.”
“Launching the LPN program at Columbia-Greene is more than an academic milestone — it’s a community investment,” said Dr. Latasha Powell, the inaugural Dean of Nursing at Columbia-Greene Community College. “We are building a program rooted in excellence, compassion, and real-world readiness. Our students will leave not only prepared to pass the NCLEX-PN, but empowered to provide high-quality care in the communities they call home.”
“Licensed practical nurses are critical members of our care teams, comforting and monitoring patients and serving as liaisons to the other members of the health care team so that we can provide compassionate, quality, patient-centered care,” said Jason Mouzakes, MD, Executive Vice President and Hospital General Director of Albany Medical Center. “We applaud Columbia-Greene Community College’s efforts to help fulfill this vital role in care delivery by providing opportunities right here in our region.”
Applications for the January 2026 cohort are open, and an online information session for prospective students is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. A short presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with college faculty. You can register for the session at: https://www.columbiagreene.edu/lpninfo
For more information about Columbia-Greene Community College and its academic programs, please visit columbiagreene.edu.
###
About Columbia-Greene Community College: A campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), Columbia-Greene Community College (“C-GCC”) is a comprehensive, two-year institution offering a variety of transfer and career programs leading to the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, and Associate in Occupational Studies degrees, as well as micro credentials, one-year certificate programs, and specialized courses geared toward community interest.