Murray City School District (MCSD) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $13 million Catalyst Center Grant by the Utah State Board of Education. The grant will fund the construction and operation of the APEX Center — Applied Professional Education Experience — on the Murray High School campus, designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and the rapidly evolving healthcare industry.
Developed in partnership with Intermountain Health, Salt Lake Tech (Salt Lake Community College), and Talent Ready Utah, the Academy will provide students with credentialed, hands-on experience just steps away from Intermountain Medical Center — Intermountain Health’s Level I Trauma Center and Utah’s largest hospital.
Credit: Murray Education Foundation
Innovative Programming and National Firsts
The Healthcare Academy will initially focus on three high-demand disciplines: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Radiology Technician Assistant — the first program of its kind in the nation offered to high school students — and Behavioral Health Assistant, among the first in Utah and the nation at the secondary level.
“This grant is a visionary investment in our students and the future of Utah’s workforce,” said Jennifer Covington, MCSD Superintendent. “We are moving beyond traditional medical instruction to provide a direct, physical bridge to a career.”
The facility will be an 11,500-square-foot building featuring four specialized classrooms and four advanced labs. Construction is slated to begin later this year, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2027. The program also includes vertical exposure, introducing elementary and middle school students to healthcare career pathways early. Once enrolled, high school students will be mentored by Intermountain Health professionals and graduate with certifications, college credits, and a clear trajectory toward professional development or higher education.
The Critical Need
The Academy’s focus areas address a real and urgent workforce shortage in Utah. Demand for behavioral health technicians is projected to grow 17% through 2034. Radiologic professionals see 15,400 annual openings expected nationally. Most striking, demand for Nursing Assistants in Utah is projected to grow 27% through 2032 — nearly ten times faster than the national average — driven by a rapidly aging population. Utah currently ranks among states with the most acute nursing shortages, with only 1.38 nurses per 100 people.
Research also shows that students in Healthcare Career Academies are 21% more likely to enroll in college immediately after high school, with significantly higher lifetime earnings compared to non-CTE peers.
Partner Voices
“By offering a Radiology Technician Assistant program at the high school level — a national first — we are proving that Murray students are ready to meet the challenges of 21st-century medicine.” — Chantel Olsen, MCSD CTE Program Coordinator
“We are doing more than launching a program — we are building a bridge between the classroom and the clinic.” — Scott Wihongi, MCSD Assistant Superintendent/CTE Director
“By mentoring these students across the street from Intermountain Medical Center, we are helping them transition from the classroom to the bedside in a way that is safe, supportive, and professionally transformative.” — Ralph Jean-Mary, President, Intermountain Health’s Salt Lake Market
“This collaboration represents the gold standard of what the Catalyst Grant was intended to achieve.” — Vic Hockett, Associate Commissioner, Talent Ready Utah
“Students earn industry-recognized credentials and credits that stack directly into Salt Lake Community College programs, accelerating their path to a degree.” — Jason Wood, Vice President, Salt Lake Technical College
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About Murray City School District: Murray City School District serves the community of Murray, Utah, committed to providing a quality education and preparing every student for success. As the smallest district in Salt Lake County, MCSD features award-winning educators and students enrolled in 10 schools.
