About
The Metropolitan Center serves as a link between the university campus and the community in a regional approach that encompasses seven counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia. We work in partnership with other institutions and organizations committed to a shared future that advances economic prosperity, social connectedness, natural resource protection and individual well being.
The growing emergence of geographic regions as focal points of economic activity, environmental regeneration, and social organization challenges the long prevailing separatist attitude evident in many governmental and organizational structures. Much like the city-states of earlier historical times, regions across the United States and even the world are positioning themselves to compete for commerce in a global marketplace. Resources must be marshaled as a collective to meet a variety of rapidly unique and growing challenges.
The University of Central Florida plays a major role in the definition and development of the Central Florida region. Our resources through research and faculty expertise make us an important asset as we come together with the community to address matters vital to the quality of life enjoyed by central Floridians. As a public university, we operate without political or corporate allegiances allowing us to function as a neutral party. This neutrality fosters trust forming a bridge spanning the campus, the community and the region.
The Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies as part of the Division of Community Relations within the university strives to work in partnership with other institutions and organizations committed to a shared future that advances economic prosperity, social cohesion, environmental protection and well being for all citizens.
Please join us in this quest.
Dr. Diane Trees
Associate Vice President, Community Relations
Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies