Florida State University has opened the newly expanded Maryland Building, which will serve as a central location for both the Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Consulting Center (MDC) and the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW). The expansion is part of FSU’s effort to improve clinical training and community support for children and families in Florida.
David Springer, dean of the College of Social Work, said: “This building has been transformed into a hub for leadership, innovation and impact. Yet, that vision was never solely about bricks and mortar; it was about creating a collaborative environment where research, education and practice come together under one roof. It is a place where ideas are tested, refined and translated into action in a way that strengthens families, communities and systems across the state of Florida.”
The renovated facility features new spaces designed to connect academic learning with practical experience in human services. The project fulfills an idea originally developed by FSU Provost Jim Clark when he served as Dean of the College of Social Work.
During the opening event, attendees toured the MDC’s updated areas. The center was established in 1983 by founding director Louise R. Goldhagen to provide psychological evaluations, diagnostic testing, therapy, and consultation for school-aged children facing complex challenges. The new layout allows MDC to serve 22 school districts in the Florida Panhandle. It includes specialized therapy rooms for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, a parent workstation, and a private family room for visitors from rural areas.
The building is equipped with technology such as Bluetooth audio systems that enable faculty to coach students live during sessions. There are also video monitoring tools and one-way mirrors so supervisors can give immediate feedback to trainees while ensuring clients receive care.
Shannon Bennett, director of MDC, stated: “This building represents every person who believed in our mission, and every partner who cares deeply about the children and families we are privileged to serve. I feel incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, deeply grateful to everyone who made this journey possible and genuinely excited about where we’re headed next in our forever home.”
Visitors also saw FICW’s new experiential learning lab. This lab contains an explorable home environment with kitchen, living room, bedroom setups—each equipped with 360-degree cameras and advanced audiovisual equipment—to help students practice field work scenarios. Facilitators can observe these interactions live from nearby debriefing rooms to offer real-time feedback.
FSU reports that while simulation labs are common in medical education, this is currently the only social work-focused lab of its kind in Florida.
Lisa Magruder, director of FICW said: “What makes this learning lab transformative isn’t the simulated spaces or the technology alone; it’s what the space will allow us to do. Here, faculty, students, and professionals will actively engage in experiential learning, trainings and opportunities for collaboration — things that bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice.”
In addition to physical simulations, FICW is using virtual reality platforms developed with FSU’s Office of the Provost. These VR tools allow users—including students and professionals—to navigate digital replicas of home environments using headsets or computers so they can prepare for real-life situations before entering them.
“This is a defining moment for our institute, one that goes beyond building a new space,” Magruder said. “It represents a new era and how we prepare the child welfare workforce.”
Through these initiatives at Maryland Building—located at 2139 Maryland Circle near I-10—FSU aims not only to train future professionals but also redefine higher education’s role in supporting communities across Florida.
Springer added: “What unites both organizations is their shared commitment to translating knowledge into measurable change. Whether through its workforce development and policy leadership or through direct multidisciplinary service these centers demonstrate how social work moves from inside to impact and they exemplify the true spirit of innovation at Florida State University.”
