There’s a transformational vision unfolding at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida, where strategic planning and passionate alumni support are coming together to create a vibrant, innovative campus that sets students up for success. Keep reading for a never-before-seen look at our bold hopes for the future, all of which will be possible with the support of Palmer alumni and friends.

A Plan for What’s Possible

William Sherrier, D.C., M.A., president of Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida campus, is crossing the sunny grounds in Port Orange, along the water’s edge. Green grass. Modern buildings. Palm trees and gentle breeze. It’s hard to imagine anything much better.

Fortunately, Dr. Sherrier has a good imagination. And he has a plan.

“I can see it,” Dr. Sherrier says, looking across the busy green. “A campus where every space inspires connection, collaboration, and excellence. A place designed for learning and for shaping the future of chiropractic care. I can see that because Palmer has people who believe in what we’re doing.”

Dr. Sherrier is describing the comprehensive campus master plan that’s paving the way for a multi-year construction and renovation project to shape a vibrant, innovative environment for the next generation of Palmer students.

“At Palmer, academic success will always be the number one priority,” Dr. Sherrier explains. “And we know that supporting academic success doesn’t stop with curriculum. It’s about creating an environment where students can succeed and grow as future doctors. We want to renovate our existing buildings and build new spaces, too — but it’s really about shaping experiences that will inspire, empower, and connect our students long after they leave campus.”

Since opening its first building in 2002, the campus has felt incredible momentum. It’s reflected in record-setting enrollment numbers, exam scores, and student satisfaction metrics. Now, as Dr. Sherrier says, it’s time for campus spaces to match the scale, needs, and expectations of today’s students and learning styles.

“Our students are eager, collaborative, and tech-savvy,” Dr. Sherrier says. “They’re looking for an environment that fosters teamwork, innovation, and personal growth.”

Over the past year, Dr. Sherrier and Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D. (`90), have convened faculty, staff, alumni, students, and architects to develop the campus master plan for Palmer Florida. What emerged from those conversations is a vision that emphasizes creating communal hubs for socializing, studying, and professional development — spaces where students can build lifelong relationships and develop their skills outside the classroom.

From those discussions have come three specific projects for the future of the Florida campus, including both new construction and thoughtful renovations made possible as the Palmer Nation comes together to support the plans. The master plan includes:

• A new 13,300–square-foot learning commons and outdoor plaza where everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Palmer’s campus.
• A renovated 8,200–square-foot student union where students can build relationships and foster community.
• Renovation of more than 46,000 square feet of academic classrooms, technique rooms, lecture halls, and student spaces to meet new and future growth and student needs.

The vision is grounded in lessons learned from Palmer’s iconic campus at the Fountainhead, which for nearly 130 years has been a model of thoughtful design and organization. “When we look at how the campus flows in Iowa — how departments are positioned to encourage interaction — it gives us a blueprint,” Dr. Sherrier notes. “We want our Florida campus to have that same sense of purpose, where every corridor and corner invites engagement and reflects our commitment to students. We also want it to be distinctive for our specific location.”

The plan embraces a modern approach to learning, blending traditional classroom instruction with online, interactive modules that prepare students for today’s dynamic healthcare environment. Small conference rooms and flexible classrooms will enable students to work together on projects, practice their skills, and connect with professors in meaningful ways. The campus will adapt to student needs, whether they’re in class or working remotely.

Looking ahead, Dr. Sherrier envisions a growing community of students getting the best chiropractic education in the world and a campus experience to match. “We want every student to feel connected to each other, to the faculty, and to Palmer’s legacy,” he says. “Our goal is to create an environment where they not only learn but flourish — professionally, personally, and socially.”

The Growth is Already Beginning with Clinic Purchase

Palmer College is pleased to announce the purchase of the Allen Green Center, home of the Palmer Clinics, from the City of Port Orange. After leasing the building for nearly 30 years, Palmer now owns the building and associated property.

This purchase allows Palmer to continue to offer outstanding outpatient care to the Port Orange community from a centralized location.

Palmer College has also entered into a lease agreement with Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach. Beginning in fall 2025, Palmer will operate a satellite clinic on the third floor of Halifax Health’s Lohman Building. This groundbreaking partnership will provide Halifax patients increased access to on-site chiropractic care, provided by Palmer College, while also providing Halifax employees easy access to chiropractic care. Palmer Clinics will also offer outpatient care to the Daytona Beach community at this location.

Synced for Student Success

At a time of historic growth and change at Palmer College, Dean of Academic Affairs Joy Lewis, Ed.D., M.S., has been essential in guiding another unprecedented shift at the College: the synchronization of the trimester calendar across campuses.

The push for change began with a clear need: as Palmer continued to grow, operating on two separate academic calendars limited the College’s ability to plan effectively, foster collaboration, and develop consistency across its two campuses.

Aligning schedules would remove those barriers and create a stronger, more unified academic environment for every student.

Dr. Lewis has helped lead the academic side of this complex, multi-year transition — one
of the most significant in Palmer’s history. The synced trimester schedule now makes it easier for students to transfer credits, access shared faculty and online resources, and participate in cross-campus programs. It also allows for more efficient course planning, unified registration timelines, and a streamlined student experience.

Perhaps most importantly, it ensures that every Palmer student has access to the same opportunities and resources. As the final quarter-based students graduate this fall — boasting an impressive exam pass rate — Dr. Lewis and her team are turning their attention to what’s next: aligning the physical campus with the rigor and innovation of Palmer’s academic program.

That’s where the Florida campus master plan takes center stage.

“The curriculum is only one piece of the student experience,” Dr. Lewis explains. “We’re designing a campus that supports how students study, collaborate, connect, and grow.”

Construction is already underway in Building 2 on a new radiology suite complete with live imaging stations, which is scheduled to open this fall. It’s just one example of how Palmer is investing in spaces that reflect how students learn and how chiropractors practice.

Dr. Lewis is also energized by the power of cross-campus collaboration. “Now that all
campuses follow the same trimester rhythm, faculty are exchanging ideas, visiting each other’s labs, and sharing best practices,” she says. “We’ve hosted faculty from our Fountainhead campus, and they’ve opened their doors to our faculty as well. There’s a mutual respect and a shared sense of pride. We’re all better for it.”

What ties it all together, she says, is intentionality. “Palmer has been doing this work for more than a century. That history demands we honor our standards while always looking ahead. Every conversation about our campus begins and ends with teaching and learning. Those will always be our foundation. And it’s what makes this next chapter so exciting.”

How Alumni Can Turn Plans into Reality

The College’s ambitious master planning vision will be a collective effort, with alumni, donors, faculty, and students coming together to support a shared purpose. Marie Kelly, senior director of advancement and alumni affairs, emphasizes that alumni will play a crucial role. “The financial support of our graduates matters,” she says. “Their donations, big or small, help us fund these physical improvements, scholarships, and innovative programs that set Palmer apart.”

“It is meaningful for me to talk with our graduates about how they are advancing our College and impacting our students,” says Kelly. “The Florida campus has grown so much, and our students are finding success, thanks in large part to the support of alumni.”

As Kelly reflects, “For over 125 years, Palmer has been about community. People helping people. This master plan is a chance for us to honor that tradition while creating new spaces and opportunities for growth. Alumni are the foundation of our success, and their support will help us build a future that continues to inspire, innovate, and elevate our profession.”