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Design Work Begins on Future Home of SCF Parrish
In alignment with its first strategic priority, SCF has purchased 74 acres in Parrish to build a new campus. Aimed at increasing the College’s physical presence in the rapid growth area east of I-75 and north of the Manatee River, SCF Parrish is located at 11680 Erie Road, Parrish, FL 34219. The first design concepts for the campus highlight the bucolic setting, while offering amenities to future students and room for growth. The addition of SCF Parrish has been the vision of SCF President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld since her inauguration in November 2013. This vision foresees SCF being at the center of the economic, educational and cultural life of the community. “SCF plans to offer general education courses leading to an A.A. degree as well as workforce degrees and certificates that are relevant and will benefit students and employers in the region,”Probstfeld said. The local population is more than 40,000 and continually increasing, according to county data. The Manatee County School Board purchased 98 acres directly across the street from the SCF property and is building a new 334,000-square-foot high school to
open in 2019. The new high school will have capacity for 2,000 students and has adopted a Bull as its mascot, but had not finalized a name by publication deadline. SCF Parrish will be easily accessible to its students and will dovetail nicely with the mission of the new high school, which will include programs in health occupations, robotics, engineering, agriculture and automotive. It also will provide accessibility and expanded opportunities for dual enrollment students. SCF Parrish will be built over three phases to include classroom buildings, a student union, a library and possibly a collegiate school. The campus will be surrounded by water features and green space. The new Parrish “SCF will collaborate with the community to make campus will provide sure SCF Parrish meets the needs of the surrounding those living north of the Manatee River an area and our greater Manatee and Sarasota communities,” added Probstfeld. open access institution Dr. Todd Fritch, SCF’s Executive Vice President and Provost, who serves as the chief academic officer and for enhancing their chief operating officer of the College, will work with skills and furthering their education.” Probstfeld to further develop the plans and the timeline for construction of the new campus. He plans to be a visible presence in the community, meeting regularly with business and civic leaders to ensure SCF continues to be responsive to the need for innovative, quality education, workforce training and community partnership. For more information about SCF Parrish, contact Brian Thomas at ThomasB1@SCF.edu or 941-752-5392.
