Seminole State breaks ground on new Student Center

Photo: (L-R) Senator David Simmons, Amy Lockhart, Seminole State College of Florida District Board of Trustees, Student Rosmery Nerey-Rodriguez, Rep. Bob Cortes, Commissioner Brenda Carey, Seminole State College President Dr. E. Ann McGee, Alex Setzer, Chairman, Seminole State District Board of Trustees, Rep. Jason T. Brodeur, Jeffrey M. Bauer Seminole State District Board of Trustees, Rep. Scott Plakon, Scott D. Howat, Vice-Chair Seminole State District Board of Trustees, and Congressman John Mica at the groundbreaking on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 for the Student Center at the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus of Seminole State College of Florida.

Seminole State College of Florida held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, June 1, for its new Student Center at the College's Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.

In January the Seminole State College of Florida District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the conceptual design for the Student Center.

The two-story, 77,000-square-foot building design was created by project architect Song + Associates Inc. and will support Seminole State's vision of being a student-centered college by serving as a one-stop facility for student services and student life.

The building will be energy efficient, environmentally sustainable and filled with natural light, highlighting the center's barrier-free design. There also will be Wi-Fi and smart technology throughout. It will include lounge spaces, a cyber perch, game room, meeting and dining areas, a food court, and a Barnes & Noble bookstore and coffee shop.

The ground floor will feature a reception area and seating in the main lobby. The Student Services areas will include Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Career Development Center, Academic Advising and Counseling, Disability Support Services, and Student Accounting and Cashiering Services. The ground-floor design also includes an exterior sun terrace facing the pond.

Intake services, such as Admissions and Recruitment, Enrollment Services and Registrar, and Assessment and Testing and a Student Life suite which includes the Office of Student Life, First Generation Freshmen and the Intramural & Recreational sports offices will be housed on the second floor.

The $24 million project was first funded with $250,000 for planning in Florida's 2009-10 budget. An additional $11.5 million was approved in the 2015-16 budget. The College will receive $12.7 million in State Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funding for 2016-17.

The center will open in spring 2018.