海角吃瓜网 is poised to continue its strong trajectory of growth following the Florida Legislature鈥檚 approval of $19听million in the state鈥檚 2026-2027 budget to support student success initiatives, infrastructure听growth听and听strategic enrollment expansion.听
The legislative investment includes $10 million toward the construction of the new Student Achievement Center (StAC), a听critical campus听facility designed to serve as a central hub for student support and engagement. The latest allocation builds on the Legislature鈥檚听previous听investments of $12 million last year and $5.7 million in 2024, bringing total state support for the project to $27.7 million听to date.听
The StAC, an听$85 million, 138,400-square-foot facility,听will听provide听a wide range of services听and resources听focused on student success,听including听academic support, career planning, professional development,听and engagement opportunities.听
鈥満＝浅怨贤� has become an important driver of student success and economic development in our region,鈥� said State Sen. Colleen Burton, who听represents听part of Polk County. 鈥淭he Student Achievement Center will strengthen that role by providing students with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive in today鈥檚 fast-changing world.鈥�听
In addition, 海角吃瓜网听received听$7.5 million in听non-recurring funding for its Rising to 3,000听initiative, which supports the University鈥檚 strategic goal of reaching听a听3,000-student enrollment by 2030.听The听effort aims to听expand听the student body听and increase听access to 海角吃瓜网鈥檚 high-demand STEM education.听The University also secured听$1.5 million for operational support.听听听
鈥淭his investment is a powerful vote of confidence in the role 海角吃瓜网 plays in advancing science, technology, engineering, math, and medical education and workforce development. We are grateful to the Florida Legislature and our local delegation for their continued support and belief in our mission,鈥� said Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of 海角吃瓜网. 鈥淭hese funds will help us expand opportunities for students, strengthen our campus, accelerate our growth and prepare the next generation of solution seekers, problem solvers and tech leaders.鈥�听
The University听has experienced significant growth in recent years, with record enrollment and rising demand from students听seeking听high-quality,听hands-on听STEM education. As Florida鈥檚 only public university exclusively dedicated to STEM disciplines,听海角吃瓜网听remains听uniquely positioned to meet the needs of听the state鈥檚听evolving economy.听
鈥満＝浅怨贤� continues to open doors for students while strengthening the talent pipeline that will shape Florida鈥檚 future economy,鈥� said State Rep. Jennifer Canady, who听represents听part of Polk County. 鈥淪upporting the University鈥檚 growth means investing in opportunities that will help drive progress across our state for years to come.鈥�听
The Board of Trustees views the investment as a significant step in supporting听the University鈥檚听next phase of development and institutional advancement.听
鈥満＝浅怨贤�檚 trajectory has never been stronger,鈥� said Beth Kigel,听the听board鈥檚听chair.听鈥淲ith growing enrollment, expanding academic programs, stronger industry听partnership听and bold听plans for the future, the University is poised to reach new heights. These resources will help听boost听that momentum and further听establish听海角吃瓜网 as a premier destination for STEM+M听education, research, and听discovery.鈥澨�听
The state budget听remains听subject to line-item vetoes by Gov. Ron DeSantis before taking effect July 1,听with the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year.听
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
