Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges - GRAUC

02/12/2025

Thank you to Rochester Post Bulletin for their recently published article about the planned dissolution of Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges (GRAUC)—a tough but thoughtful decision after nearly four decades of advocacy for higher education in our region.

https://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/after-reshaping-higher-education-in-rochester-grauc-is-departing-the-scene

For years, GRAUC has brought together leaders from education, business, and government to expand access to higher education, with strong local and state support and countless volunteer hours from community members who care deeply about this work. The impact has been significant, and we’re incredibly grateful for everyone who has contributed along the way.

Deciding to wind down an organization with such a rich history of success is never easy, but our board has approached it with courage and care. While this marks the end of an era, there is so much to celebrate.

As the article noted, no official date has been set—just the intention to move forward with this process. In the coming months, we’ll continue reflecting on GRAUC’s legacy and the many people who made its work possible.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey.

The Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges pushed for more higher education during 40 years of advocacy.

02/11/2025

We were excited to host the Open House for our Collaborative Healthcare Simulation & Learning Center! It was a great opportunity for attendees to tour the space, try out our virtual reality simulations, and see how we’ll be capturing simulation experiences for debriefing.

This project is the result of incredible support from many local organizations, our legislators, and the Direct Appropriation Grant through DEED. Thank you to everyone who has been part of making this happen.

A special thank you to the Rochester Area Chamber of CommerceRochester Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors** for the ribbon-cutting, and to the Rochester Post Bulletin for their coverage of the event. https://www.postbulletin.com/health/rochester-has-a-new-learning-space-for-future-health-care-workers

We’re looking forward to continuing to grow this resource and contribute to the development of future healthcare professionals in our community.

The Collaborative Healthcare Simulation and Learning Center in downtown Rochester will be used to train students in a mock hospital room, a mock doctor's office or through virtual reality scenarios.

02/11/2025

Thank you so much for the kind words and congratulations! We’re incredibly proud of the work that has gone into making the Collaborative Healthcare Simulation & Learning Center a reality. It’s truly a team effort, and we’re grateful for the ongoing support from our community, local legislators, and partners.

A special thank you to the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce for your support and for being part of our ribbon-cutting ceremony.

We’re excited about the impact this center will have in shaping the future of healthcare education and providing future healthcare professionals with the tools they need to succeed. We appreciate the opportunity to share this milestone and look forward to the continued growth and success of this important initiative.

Thank you again for your support!

Congratulations to Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges - GRAUC on the ribbon cutting for the Collaborative Healthcare Simulation & Learning Center! This innovative facility offers virtual simulations, an interactive anatomy table, and cutting-edge technology to shape the future of healthcare education. The center plays a key role in preparing skilled healthcare professionals to meet both current and future demands.

Discover more about GRAUC and the new center at https://grauc.org/simcenter

10/31/2024

📣 After 37 Years of Advocacy, GRAUC Prepares to "Pass the Torch"!

As GRAUC (Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges) prepares to conclude its impactful journey, we’re thrilled to invite you to join us in celebrating an organization that has devoted 37 years to fostering higher education, connecting business with academia, and supporting workforce development in Rochester.

Join us for "Passing the Torch," an evening to honor the legacy of GRAUC’s advocacy, transformational partnerships, and the positive change it has brought to our community. This event is a unique opportunity to gather with GRAUC supporters, community leaders, and partners who have helped shape Rochester’s educational landscape.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Empire Event Center, Rochester, MN
Registration Deadline: Thursday, November 7, 2023
Cost: $25/person

Please register here: https://ticketstripe.com/grauccelebration

Together, we’ll celebrate GRAUC’s achievements, reflect on the stories that shaped our region, and inspire new advocates dedicated to building a strong, educated workforce.

We hope to see you there as we honor GRAUC’s legacy and the vibrant community that made it possible. Confirm your attendance today and help us make this a memorable event!

Thank you to our event sponsors!

Southeast Service Cooperative | Workforce Development, Inc. | HGA | Mayo Clinic | Rochester Community and Technical College | St. Mary's Unversity

For 37 years, GRAUC has been a driving force for higher education in Rochester. As we conclude our journey, we invite you to a special event honoring GRAUC's legacy, featuring a celebratory program and dinner.

10/04/2024

🚧 **Progress Update!** 🚧

We're excited to share that DIRTT Walls are being installed in our new flexible classroom space! This area is designed to support a wide range of activities, from debriefs and presentations to cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences. 🌐✨

This innovative space will create opportunities to educate the next generation of healthcare providers, addressing critical gaps in healthcare training. It's all about preparing for the future while providing a state-of-the-art learning environment today!

09/20/2024

🌟 Thrilled to have had GRAUC Interim Executive Catherine Davis represent the Collaborative Healthcare Simulation and Learning Center at the DMC Annual Meeting on the Discovery Walk! 🌟

She shared our vision and purpose for creating a community-owned Simulation Center aimed at addressing both current and future healthcare education needs. This project holds immense potential for supporting the development of the healthcare workforce and advancing education in our region.

The excitement around this initiative continues to grow, and we are grateful to DMC for the opportunity to participate in this meaningful event. Together, we’re building a brighter future for healthcare education! 💼🏥

09/16/2024

Why a Sim Center?

We often get asked this question. While Rochester has existing Sim Center spaces at Mayo Clinic, RCTC, and Winona State University-Rochester, much of that space is nearing capacity. Looking at future needs, the demand is clear:

- Minnesota needs over 50,000 more healthcare professionals by 2030.
- Clinic sites have been reduced due to staffing shortages.
- 20% of nurses are over the age of 65.
- Not all healthcare and education institutions have access to simulation spaces.

To meet future demand, we need to build capacity now. Our Sim Center will provide space for anyone to use—allowing organizations to offer critical simulations for their students and employees.

09/11/2024

Who owns the Sim Center?

GRAUC has a long history of convening partners around key projects. In 2020, GRAUC was asked to spearhead the development of a collaborative healthcare simulation center, and we are proud to lead this effort.

From the beginning, the goal was for a collaborative group of partners—representing higher education, healthcare institutions, business, and economic development—to "own" the Sim Center.

Currently, our Sim Center Board is providing direction for this exciting project. As it progresses, GRAUC will transition into a more behind-the-scenes role. A collaboratively owned Sim Center is an innovative concept, and there’s no better place for it than Rochester, a city known for its forward-thinking and innovation. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress.

09/09/2024

Exciting progress is happening on the 1st Floor of the Massey Building! 🚧 Join us for a video tour of our new Sim Center space, featuring:

• A multipurpose classroom designed with the innovative DIRTT system

• An acute care/hospital room complete with a headwall, hospital bed, and essential equipment

• Clinical setting rooms to enhance hands-on learning

We're on track for a mid-October opening and are thrilled to be developing the next generation of healthcare professionals right here!

09/04/2024

Exciting news! Remodeling has officially begun on our Sim Center prototype. We're creating a state-of-the-art care/hospital room and a multifunctional classroom designed for AR/VR simulations and clinical learning. Our target for opening is mid-October. Stay tuned for more updates!

08/26/2024

🚀 Big News! The Sim Center was recently featured in the Rochester Post Bulletin! The location has been identified on the 1st floor of the Massey Building, marking a major milestone in this exciting project.

This center is a prototype of a larger vision, made possible through the collaborative efforts of higher education, healthcare institutions, private industry, and economic development organizations. It will provide state-of-the-art simulation experiences to both students and current healthcare employees, enhancing skills and preparing the workforce for the future of healthcare.

We're aiming to open the prototype by mid-October 2024. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring this innovative space to life!

Check out the PB article here: https://www.postbulletin.com/business/local-groups-to-build-a-prototype-medical-sim-center-in-downtown-rochester

A $475,000 prototype medical simulation center will soon be built in downtown Rochester for area medical students and health care professionals.