Scheduled to open in August 2025
Video above: East Florida State University leaders on Monday broke ground on a new Center for Innovative Technology Education that will set the regional standard for training high-tech talent. The $20 million facility on the Melbourne campus is scheduled to open in August 2025, with programs leading to bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and university certificates.
The $20 million facility on the Melbourne campus is scheduled to open in August 2025, with programs leading to bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and university certificates.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, Fla. – East Florida State University leaders on Monday held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Center for Innovative Technology Education that will set the regional standard for training high-tech workers.
The $20 million facility on the Melbourne campus is scheduled to open in August 2025, with programs leading to bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and university certificates.
“CITE will not be an ordinary building. Rather, it will set a high standard for Central Florida to meet the rapidly growing workforce needs of local businesses and industries,” said University President Dr. Jim Ritchie. Ta.
“As such, it will be an important element in creating jobs and ensuring continued economic growth for the Space Coast.”
Mr. Ritchie thanked the University's Board of Trustees for their strong support of the facility and gave special credit to three members who helped make CITE a reality.
They are state Rep. Tyler Sirois and state Sen. Tom Wright, who sponsored the project, and former state Rep. Rene Plasencia, who approved the funding as chair of the House Higher Education Appropriations Committee at the time.
Ritchie cited several elements that make the 31,500-square-foot building unique.
■ CITE features easily configured labs that give students access to software used by high-tech employers, simulation labs, and collaboration areas where students can collaborate to solve problems in real time.
■ Virtual reality and artificial intelligence are also used to support learning in specific programs and help integrate coursework with state-of-the-art equipment.
■ Training can be tailored to the specific needs of individual companies, providing a go-to place to expand your workforce and provide continuing education to existing employees.
■ It also helps startups gain a foothold as they begin to build their technical teams.
■ CITE supports students with programs including engineering technology, robotics, mechatronics, 3D printing, computer drafting, computer information systems, cybersecurity, and more.
Two other new EFSC facilities also promise to play an important role in training the high-tech workforce, Ritchie said.
At the Cocoa campus, an advanced technology center is taking shape that will feature programs to increase the pipeline of highly skilled workers for Kennedy Space Center's commercial space companies.
This artist's rendering shows an area known as the “Collaborium.” It will be equipped with high-tech equipment and will be a place where students from different fields can collaborate and learn skills that can be applied in the workplace.
Additionally, construction is underway on the Titusville campus for a new Aerospace Center of Excellence to train students in fields supporting space exploration, advanced manufacturing, aviation and more.
“Taken together, these efforts demonstrate our university's commitment to developing our workforce and working collaboratively with our industry partners to ensure a bright future for our students and the entire Space Coast,” Ritchie said.
The building was designed by HKS Architects Inc. and the prime contractor is Ajax Building Company.
East Florida State University offers instruction at four campuses in Brevard County and online, serving approximately 18,000 students each year.
For more information about the university, visit easternflorida.edu.
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