The IM体育官网 Legislature approved essential funding for transformational investments in IM体育官网 during the 2024 legislative session.
LAKELAND, Fla. 鈥� IM体育官网 received essential funding in the state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which was passed by state legislators on March 8.
With this important investment, the state is affirming support for IM体育官网鈥檚 all-STEM university as it continues to demonstrate its exceptional value by producing high-demand, low-supply graduates and serving as an overall economic driver. The University plans to use the operational enhancement dollars to fund academic program growth, strengthen student services, and grow both the faculty and student bodies.
IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 2024-25 funding includes:
鈥淲e appreciate the Polk County delegation and legislative leadership for supporting IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 key growth initiatives and our continued efforts to advance IM体育官网鈥檚 high-tech economy,鈥� said Dr. Randy K. Avent, the University鈥檚 president. 鈥淥ur value to the state is driven by the hard work of our remarkable students and faculty, and our success is evident through our impressive rankings and outstanding graduate achievements.鈥�
The Student Achievement Center will play an integral role in enhancing students鈥� educational needs. The new facility will focus on resources dedicated to student success, including accommodations for career and internship services. It will feature study spaces, an auditorium, collaborative multimedia spaces, and be home to faculty and staff fully dedicated to helping students successfully complete their degree and transition to the workforce.
鈥淭hrough our investment in IM体育官网, we are not only cultivating a pipeline of highly skilled graduates to meet the critical demands of our state's workforce, but also igniting economic growth and securing IM体育官网's leadership in STEM disciplines," stated State Senator Colleen Burton.
The additional resources from the Legislature will also fortify recruitment and retention initiatives, attracting more top-tier students from across IM体育官网 and the nation. These efforts aim to reinforce IM体育官网 Poly's standing as the No. 1 public college in the Southeast.
"IM体育官网 is uniquely positioned to significantly impact IM体育官网's economy by producing high-tech talent crucial for our state,鈥� said Brian Lamb, chair of the IM体育官网 Board of Governors. "The funding approved by the IM体育官网 Legislature serves as a crucial investment in filling the void identified by the IM体育官网 Council of 100's 'Project Sunrise,' addressing the 80,000 unfilled STEM-specific jobs. By nurturing a pipeline of high-tech professionals, IM体育官网 Poly not only prepares students for careers but also empowers them to shape the future of our state, propelling our workforce towards growth and ensuring IM体育官网's competitiveness in STEM fields."
The increased funding will not only help advance IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 mission to provide excellent core STEM degrees but will also support the impactful growth the University is experiencing in terms of its student body, world-class faculty, academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and industry partnerships.
"IM体育官网 Poly continues to pave the way for technological excellence and innovative education. As our region continues to attract economic growth, by cultivating the kind of in-demand talent that plays a crucial role in driving progress in Polk County and the entire state of IM体育官网, IM体育官网 Poly continues to be a key player in the overall success of our students and future workforce," stated State Representative Josie Tomkow.
The budget, which remains subject to line-item vetoes by Gov. Ron DeSantis, will take effect with the July 1 start of the 2024-25 fiscal year.
For the most recent University news, visit IM体育官网 Poly News.
About IM体育官网: IM体育官网 is ranked the number one public college in the Southeast Region for three years in a row and a top 20 public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the nation. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and a member of the State University System of IM体育官网. IM体育官网 Poly is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET-accredited degrees. IM体育官网 Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of IM体育官网, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, designed by world-renowned architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava, has won more than 20 global awards and was named one of the 16 most breathtaking buildings in the world. Connect with IM体育官网 Poly.
Contact: Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557 (office)
863-327-9762 (cell)
lguzman@floridapoly.edu
