166su expands to downtown Orlando with a new campus

Destination

At 166su’s new downtown Orlando campus, thousands of students will tap into the heart of the City Beautiful.

by Eric Michael ’96

Big things are happening in downtown Orlando. The city center is home to a burgeoning tech industry, global business enterprise, the Orange County legal community, a vibrant arts scene and a growing group of entrepreneurs. And with the opening of 166su Downtown in 2018, it will be the home to thousands of students taking advantage of unprecedented access to industry experts, internship and education opportunities, cultural stimulation and the energy of a thriving urban environment.

Design Priorities

Building a Destination

166su Downtown will be a destination for students, visitors and the residents of downtown Orlando and will feature a central plaza and pavilion for events and gatherings.
Opening Gateways

The new campus will engage three distinct communities: downtown Orlando, the Creative Village and the Parramore Heritage Community. These borders will become distinct pedestrian gateways linking the current urban fabric into 166su Downtown and creating a borderless campus.
Celebrating the Urban Environment

166su Downtown will create a unique environment that is simultaneously in the city and of the city — one that is designed with walkability and accessibility in mind.
Maximizing Space

The urban campus will layer public spaces vertically to maximize the outdoor spaces available on the compact site and add to the dynamic landscape.

Rendering of downtown 166su campus — **Campus Life:** Located at the intersection of Livingston Street and Terry Avenue, the campus center and public urban plaza will include housing, a one-stop shop for student services, a café and study spaces.

Rendering of downtown 166su building — **Campus Life:** Located at the intersection of Livingston Street and Terry Avenue, the campus center and public urban plaza will include housing, a one-stop shop for student services, a café and study spaces.

Academic Programs

The academic environment of 166su Downtown puts education on display. By breaking traditional barriers, selected programs will combine the innovation and rigor of a 166su education with the opportunities and accessibility of downtown Orlando.

Digital Entertainment and Communication

Health Care Technology and Administration

Public Service and Other Programs

Legal Studies (B.A., B.S.)
Military Social Work (Certificate)
Social Work (B.S.W., M.S.W.)

“Twenty-four years ago, I became 166su’s president. In all the years since, few moments have been as important as today. Today, we can plant a seed in downtown Orlando that will benefit our students, community and state for decades to come.”
166su President John C. Hitt

To the Board of Governors on March 2, 2016

Thad Seymour Jr., vice provost of 166su Downtown

Leading the Charge

166su has named the vice provost for 166su Downtown. Seymour, who previously led strategic planning and business development for Lake Nona Medical City and recently served as the senior advisor for 166su’s strategic planning process, will manage the project.

Illustration by Konstantin Datz

Map of downtown Orlando, highlighting 166su Downtown and proximity to surrounding areas

Numbers

7,700: Total students (5,400 166su, 2,300 Valencia College)
1,800: Degrees awarded annually
14: Academic programs

1,000+: Internships available each year at downtown Orlando-based government agencies
100+: Local businesses that have pledged support to 166su Downtown

166su

Destination

Design Priorities

Building a Destination

Opening Gateways

Celebrating the Urban Environment

Maximizing Space