SEU Winter Haven Opens 13,000-Square-Foot Center to Offer In-Demand Degrees and Boost City’s Urban Core
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Southeastern University (SEU) has officially opened a new 13,000-square-foot campus in the heart of downtown Winter Haven, marking a significant step in the university’s mission to enhance accessibility to higher education across Central Florida.
The new site, dubbed SEU Winter Haven, is strategically positioned at the corner of 3rd Street SW and Magnolia Avenue, and will cater to a blend of graduate and undergraduate students through both traditional and flexible online cohort programs.
The campus is set to feature modern classroom spaces, administrative offices, and collaborative study areas. Its academic offerings will be tailored to meet local workforce demands, supporting disciplines crucial to the region’s economy, including health care, logistics, and business.
SEU leaders and local developers believe the new educational hub will serve as a powerful catalyst for community connection and economic vitality in the urban core.
“This new campus represents a powerful step forward in our mission to make higher education more accessible and community-connected,” said SEU President Kent Ingle. “Winter Haven is a growing, vibrant city, and we’re thrilled to become part of its downtown fabric.”
The development was executed in partnership with Six/Ten, LLC, a Winter Haven-based real estate investment and development company instrumental in shaping the downtown area’s live-work-play-learn environment. Bud Strang, CEO of Six/Ten, LLC, emphasized the alignment with their company’s vision. “Partnering with SEU to bring higher education to downtown aligns perfectly with our vision for Winter Haven’s future,” he stated.
The project was spearheaded by Dr. Michael Steiner, SEU’s Senior Vice President of Advancement and Innovation, and Rick Baker, former mayor of St. Petersburg and an advisor for Six/Ten, LLC. Baker noted, “A university presence is a significant catalyst for building a vibrant city center.”
City officials have also welcomed the addition, recognizing its importance for the future of Winter Haven. T. Michael Stavres, City Manager of Winter Haven, called the opening a “milestone moment.”
“This campus brings new energy and opportunity to downtown and strengthens our ability to retain and attract students, professionals and businesses,” Stavres said, highlighting the strengthened educational landscape that already includes the local Polk State College. “The future for our students is bright!”
READ: Winter Haven Sophomore Arrested After Threatening 2 Polk County Schools
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