UCF Newsroom RSS Feed
News & Information
www.news.ucf.edu
407-823-5007
Twitter:@UCFNewsroom
Read About:
Useful Links
Today at UCF
69°F, Fair
Campus Events
- Job Search Communication
- Present yourself favorably through applications, cover letters and thank you letters.
- "Tell Me About Yourself"
- Learn how to prepare for job interviews.
- Online Job Connections
- Learn about the features available on KnightLink!
UCF, SCC Break Ground on 'Partnership Center' at Sanford/Lake Mary Campus
By Christine Dellert May 21, 2008
Photo: Courtesy of Seminole Community College
The four-story SCC-UCF University Partnership Center will feature multimedia classrooms, a large research library, faculty offices and space for SCC and UCF student services at the Sanford/Lake Mary campus.
Story Images
Click thumbnails for full-size images.
University of Central Florida and Seminole Community College leaders broke ground Wednesday on a shared facility that symbolizes their continued partnership and will enhance opportunities for Seminole County college students.
The new, four-story SCC-UCF University Partnership Center will replace UCF’s current base at the Sanford/Lake Mary campus, SCC’s largest and one of 11 UCF regional campuses across Central Florida.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this summer on the 106,000-square-foot center. The center will expand UCF’s presence on the campus with 29 multimedia classrooms, faculty offices and space for shared UCF and SCC student services. The project also includes the “library of tomorrow,” a 33,000-square-foot, two-story research library and state-of-the-art computer lab.
“This shared facility is a symbol of the growing partnership between UCF and Seminole Community College, and of UCF’s commitment to serving the students and citizens of Seminole County,” UCF President John Hitt told more than 300 gathered Wednesday morning at the Center's future site. “You know I hope that UCF stands for opportunity, and this facility will create even more opportunities for SCC graduates and Seminole County residents to earn UCF degrees in their community.”
Other guests of honor at the groundbreaking included UCF trustees Judy Albertson, Phyllis Klock, Pat Christiansen and Manoj Chopra; Florida Rep. Chris Dorworth, chairman of SCC’s Board of Trustees; Florida Rep. David Simmons; and Seminole County Commissioner Mike McLean. Also attending were David Harrison, UCF’s vice provost for Regional Campuses, and David Mealor, associate vice president and director of UCF Sanford/Lake Mary.
UCF currently offers 11 degree programs at SCC’s Sanford/Lake Mary campus, and the campus hosts classes for nearly 1,030 UCF students. The new building will give UCF the space to add courses in Seminole County, part of its initiative to offer more Central Florida students better access to higher education.
“Including the word ‘partnership’ in this facility’s name reflects the great and growing synergy between our two institutions, as well as our mutual commitment to furthering higher educational opportunities for students throughout our region,” SCC President E. Ann McGee said.
Since 2006, UCF has guaranteed access to all SCC graduates through DirectConnect to UCF, the most productive community college-university partnership in the country. The program also offers graduates of Valencia, Lake-Sumter and Brevard community colleges assured admission to the university. UCF and its community college partners share academic programs, advising and financial aid resources to provide a seamless transition to the university.
About 83 percent of all SCC graduates who pursue a bachelor’s degree choose to attend UCF, McGee said.
Despite recent state budget cuts, university leaders say DirectConnect will continue, accommodating the growing number of local students aspiring to attend college.
“What we’re doing here today is not happening anywhere else in the state,” Harrison said.
The center is expected to cost about $33 million and is scheduled to open in summer 2010.
UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 6th largest in the nation with more than 48,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.
