The Opportunity to Advance Our Region

The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus celebrated its first day of classes on the beautiful bay-front campus on August 28, 2006. Since then, the demand for qualified nurses in the region has exploded, and USF has become America’s fastest rising university, now sitting at No. 42 among all public universities and No. 97 among all universities public or private at an all-time high on U.S. News & World Report’s (U.S. News) annual ranking of the best colleges in America.

With more than 2,000 enrolled students and over 300 employees, the campus has exceeded its available space and is ready for its first new construction in 15 years. Biology has become the most popular major, but students must leave campus for lab classes and research at Mote Marine Laboratory. The Suncoast region also needs more science, technology and health graduates to address continued local growth in these industries.

The USF Nursing and STEM building will solve both challenges.

A Nursing/STEM building will define the future of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus by training the next generation of nurses, scientists and problem solvers. This effort will also bring together students and experienced faculty for opportunities to lead research projects that will bring significant and tangible benefits to the community.

The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus expansion will provide:

• Space to triple the campus enrollment to 6,000 students
• Projected annual economic impact of $500 million per year
• 75,000 sq. ft. to launch undergraduate and graduate health, science, and technology programs
• The ability to recruit top students and world-class professors
• A globally recognized destination to serve the Sarasota-Manatee business and residential communities through engagement and outreach

Through this expansion, the USF Sarasota-Manatee will grow the talent pool that attracts biotech and health care companies to support the success and sustainability of the community.