By Andria Barrios
Enrollment at Hillsborough Community College’s newest campus, located in SouthShore, grew 7.3 percent during the 2013-2014 school year. This campus, which opened in 2008, now houses 6,700 students and serves as a meeting place in the South County area.
Due to this growth, expansion became necessary, and the ground-breaking for a new $9.8 million Science and Technology building took place on May 14, 2014. “We are absolutely thrilled to add this beautiful building to our campus community,” says Dr. Allen Witt, SouthShore Campus President. “The addition opens new doors for our science faculty and expands learning opportunities for students.”
Because of its need for space, this campus has used portable trailers for classroom and office space for years. Now, with their new two-story 36,624 square-foot building, consisting of nine laboratories, five prep labs, two computer classrooms, six traditional classrooms, offices for nine faculty and staff, and a dean’s suite.
Like every other SouthShore Campus building, this faculty will be an LEED Certified Green Building. Architects from Reynolds Smith and Hills made up the construction team.
The first classes will be held inside it’s halls on Monday, August 17. On Monday, August 24 at 11 a.m., the Grand Opening event will take place. Speakers include Sandy Murman, County Commissioner, Dr. Ken Atwater, HCC President, Dr. Allen Witt, HCC SouthShore President and Patricia Blackburn, Student Government Association President.
“The new building represents a successful collaboration between our administration and faculty, who participated in almost every aspect of its design,” says Sciences Program Manager and Biological Sciences Instructor Mustapha Lahrach.
Hillsborough Community College consists of five campuses and three centers throughout the area. For more information, visit www.hccl.edu.
