Florida Poly Reveals $87M Student Achievement Center
Florida Poly Student Achievement Center is a planned $87 million, 138,000-square-foot student facility scheduled to open in Fall 2028.
By Academic Writing Club Newsroom
Florida Polytechnic University has revealed designs for its $87 million Student Achievement Center, a three-story, 138,000-square-foot facility planned for its Lakeland, Florida, campus. The university presented the renderings to its Board of Trustees on Sept. 24. The center is expected to support enrollment growth toward 3,000 students by 2030, 28% above this fall’s enrollment. Construction is expected to begin in spring, with completion anticipated in Fall 2028.
Spaces For Student Services
The Student Achievement Center will include study areas, collaborative multimedia environments, student support services, career and internship development spaces, an auditorium, instructional rooms and gathering areas. The facility is intended to support students from enrollment through graduation and preparation for STEM careers.
Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Poly, said:
“The Student Achievement Center represents the next chapter in Florida Poly's extraordinary growth. This remarkable facility will transform the student experience and become the heartbeat of a thriving campus community. It reflects our commitment to building a world-class STEM university where students have every opportunity to excel, both in the classroom and beyond.”
Design And Construction Teams
Architecture and engineering firm HOK designed the center, while Skanska USA Building will lead construction. The building’s curved roofline, glass façade and open interiors are intended to complement the campus architecture established by Santiago Calatrava’s Innovation, Science and Technology building.
Michel Borg, design principal for HOK, said:
“The foundational idea was to create this building as a cornerstone of the student experience. We wanted to create a facility that honors the original master plan that Santiago Calatrava developed and foster a unique experience for students and visitors coming to campus.”
Preparing For Enrollment Growth
Florida Poly said its planned enrollment of 3,000 students by 2030 represents a 90% increase over Fall 2024. The new center will add space outside classrooms as the university expands its student body.
Beth Kigel, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, said:
“Seeing these impressive designs gives us a clear look at where Florida Poly is headed. The Student Achievement Center fills an essential need on our growing campus, enriching student life and delivering a vibrant environment that reflects the high caliber of our students and faculty. It is a critical investment in the University's future and in the campus we are building for generations of students to come.”
