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Florida Polytechnic University unveils plans for state-of-the-art research building

March 13, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla.– Florida Polytechnic University announced plans to build another iconic building on its campus that will serve as a research hub for the Central Florida region, becoming a magnet for high-tech development around the school. The final details and renderings of the project were presented at the Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, March 13.

The 85,000 square foot Applied Research Center (ARC) will house research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, and faculty offices. The building will also provide study areas for graduate students, and a small amount of administrative space.

The two-story building will be located on the northwest side of campus adjacent to the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building and will also be visible from I-4.

“The ARC is a critical facility that will be essential to our ability to fulfill the University’s mission to produce industry ready students, perform applied research, and support economic development in Florida,” said Dr. Terry Parker, provost and executive vice president of Florida Poly. “The building will provide the needed physical infrastructure for research success and is crucial to recruiting new research-active faculty.”

The ARC will be Florida Poly’s second academic building. It was designed by the architecture firm HOK with the goal of creating a dynamic, functional, and flexible space that will promote research growth, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and connectivity amongst the campus.

Construction is set to begin in August 2019 and will take two years.

“The Applied Research Center will be an integral element in growing a high-technology economy around campus,” said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Poly. “The ARC will provide the research labs and facilities to attract research talent, capital investment, and enhanced partnerships.”

Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-874-8450

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Applied Research Center
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Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.