Eight years after conversations first started, TST BOCES, Centralus Health, and the Tompkins Chamber gathered on Tuesday, October 13 at The Shops at Ithaca Mall to cut the ribbon on a brand-new Practical Nursing program. The event marked the launch of a dedicated, state-of-the-art learning space located inside Centralus Health’s portion of the mall. With Tompkins Chamber providing the oversized scissors and ribbon, local leaders, educators, and the inaugural class of students gathered to celebrate the milestone and announce that applications are already open for the next cohort of LPNs.
Opening an adult education nursing program is a massive regulatory and logistical lift. TST BOCES Assistant Superintendent Cindy Walter noted that when she joined the organization, many considered the idea nearly impossible. "Once someone told me it couldn't be done, it became something I was determined to figure out," Walter said during her remarks. "But determination alone doesn't open a nursing program. It takes the right people, the right partners, and a tremendous amount of persistence."
Walter highlighted the work of Adult Education Administrator Joe Palladino, who spent years navigating state mandates and accreditation hurdles to bring the vision to life. She also credited former TST BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Matteson for sparking the initial partnership with Centralus Health, current District Superintendent Lily Talcott for keeping the project moving forward, Assistant Superintendent Dave Parsons for solving complex funding puzzles, and Caring Gene for critical financial backing.
Educational partners across every level joined in the celebration, demonstrating a shared commitment to building local healthcare career pathways. Representatives from the TST BOCES Board of Education attended alongside RSS Director Emily Wemmer, CTE Director Sarah Vakkas and CTE Nurse Assisting & Health Occupations Teacher Marlo Cappocia, while Tompkins Cortland Community College was represented by Dean of Nursing, Allied Health, and Life Sciences Susan Mueller, and Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Carrie Whitmore.
Together, the institutions form a complete educational pipeline for the region. High school juniors and seniors can earn CNA or phlebotomy credentials through TST BOCES Career and Technical Education’s Nurse Assisting Program, adults can now pursue their LPN through the new Practical Nursing program, and Tompkins Cortland Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree for students aiming to become Registered Nurses (RNs). This connected pathway gives local residents accessible entry points at every stage of life.
"There was the vision by TST BOCES and Centralus to recognize the gap that we have in our service providers," said Peggy Coleman of the Tompkins Chamber, pointing to the joint initiative as a direct solution to local workforce shortages.
Outfitted through Department of Health grant funding, the new facility features high-tech simulation labs where students practice clinical skills in real-world scenarios. Centralus Health Assistant VP of Strategy Dr. Michael Berlin stated that the space is proof of what happens when healthcare systems and educators combine forces.
"Neither Centralus nor BOCES could have accomplished this as effectively alone," Dr. Berlin said. "Centralus brings expertise in healthcare and health system operations. BOCES brings expertise in education and a deep commitment to the success of its learners. This is not just an educational program. It is opportunity. It is economic mobility."
Jeff Penoyer, Chief Operating Officer for Centralus Health, emphasized the facility's broader role as a regional workforce hub aimed at addressing the ongoing nursing shortage while praising Dr. Berlin and Sheri Renaud for their leadership in steering the project to completion.
Student members of Cohort 1 were front and center to celebrate the official launch. Addressing the class directly, Dr. Berlin called them the heart of the initiative and reminded them of the vital role practical nurses play on patient care teams. The program’s core instructional and administrative team, Health Service Coordinator Jackie Brown, Lead PN Instructor Brittany Hendrix, and Instructors Jasmine Brown and Tina Deforest, was also recognized for directly preparing these future nurses. The celebration culminated at the classroom entrance, where students and community leaders cheered on Cindy Walter and Dr. Berlin to officially cut the ribbon.
As Cohort 1 moves forward, regional demand for the next class is already breaking records. While the inaugural class drew 70 applicants, TST BOCES has already received 150 applications for the upcoming cohort. Applications are currently being accepted through November 13, 2026 for Cohort 2. The 10-month, full-time program runs Monday through Friday with an anticipated start date in January 2027 and completion in October 2027. The PN program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX exam to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
Key Enrollment Details:
Application Deadline: November 13, 2026
Program Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday
Anticipated Dates: January 2027 - October 2027
To learn more or apply for Cohort 2, visit tstboces.org/PN.