Kenosha’s newest college, Herzing University, opened its doors to local officials Wednesday, showing off new classrooms, lecture halls, state-of-the-art labs and equipment.

Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman told campus president Krista Wills and Herzing Educational System President Renée Herzing he appreciated Herzing’s decision to locate in Kenosha, saying it would enhance job training and career skills for residents at a time when they need it most.

“We’re in the business of helping people live up to their full potential, and we believe in it,” Renée Herzing said, stressing the private, for-profit university’s career-focused, hands-on approach.

She emphasized that courses and programming are designed for student convenience by allowing flexibility in schedules, and that the school has a three-year bachelor’s degree program. The school offers bachelor’s and associate degrees as well as diploma programs.

“It’s really putting people out there who are job ready,” Herzing said. “It’s all about time-to-market. Plus, every year you’re in college, you’re not out earning.”

About 50 people attended Wednesday’s invitation-only event, staged to celebrate the opening of the school’s classrooms. The online component opened for students Sept. 3.

The school is located in the remodeled former Aurora Health Center, 4006 Washington Road.

Campus Dean Gerald Lott pointed out the newly equipped surgery center, built to teach surgical technicians. The lab features high-tech surgical tables and a free-standing door — there to drill students to not use their scrubbed, sterilized hands to push it open, but to back through it instead.

Another lab, designed to teach nursing students, holds six patient beds, each surrounded by equipment typically found in hospital rooms.

Down the hall, two rooms feature the latest computers and monitors. One of the computer labs is dedicated to design courses.

Shelves in the relatively small library are sparsely populated with books and journals — for now.

“By the end of next year, this will be a fully stocked library,” Lott said. “As our faculty arrive, we’ll have what they want in here.”

During the event, Wills announced the Herzing University Community Commitment Scholarship, a competitive program which will award 10 $500 awards and two $2,500 awards.

Wills said the scholarship will recognize students who want to enhance their own futures through education in addition to “the future of their community by offering their talent and newly acquired expertise” in their areas of study and training.