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BOZEMAN, Mont. – Four new nursing education buildings in the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at Montana State University (MSU) are set to open this fall in Bozeman, Billings, Kalispell and Missoula. Funding for the buildings was awarded by Mark and Robyn Jones five years ago, a gift of $101 million that marked the largest-ever private donation to a nursing college.

The nursing school’s model of “five campuses one college” allows students to take pre-requisite courses at MSU’s Bozeman campus before applying to complete the program in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell or Missoula. The nursing building in Great Falls opened in 2025. 

The university said in a press release that the building design prioritizes a student-centered experience. 

“Each of the new nursing education buildings features large classrooms, a foundational skills room and a state-of-the-art simulation center with three separate rooms for maternal and newborn care, adult care and pediatrics.” 

Grand opening times will be listed online at a later date for the following opening days: 

• Bozeman: Friday, September 18, 2026
• Billings: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• Kalispell: Monday, October 12, 2026
• Missoula: Tuesday, October 13, 2026

“Our growth as Montana’s premier nursing college is a benefit both for students and all Montanans, who are cared for by the impressive numbers of Bobcat nurses who have chosen to stay in Montana and serve their communities,” Dean of Nursing Sarah Shannon said. “This additional infrastructure will allow our college to increase enrollment, increase the number of nursing graduates each year and bolster the health care workforce in every corner of the state.” 

MSU said the four buildings are opening ahead of schedule due to effects of this year’s mild winter.