Public Policy Events
Public Policy in Action at Florida Poly
We host engaging and thought-provoking events that spark meaningful dialogue on today’s most pressing public policy issues. Our mission is to promote open, balanced discussions that reflect diverse perspectives—empowering students, faculty, staff, and guests to stay informed and contribute meaningfully as thoughtful leaders in their communities and beyond.
Upcoming Events
Join us for a series of immersive discussions exploring the dynamic relationship between the fundamental elements of Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water, and their influence on our environment, culture, and society.
Fall 2026
Two Operating Systems – One Country: Republicans and Democrats Discuss Different Approaches to Big Challenges
- Monday, October 5, 2026
- 5:00–6:00 p.m.
- BARC 2200
Coming Soon...
- October 2026
- 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- BARC 2200
Spring 2027
Coming Soon...
- February 2027
- 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- BARC 2200
Coming Soon…
- April 2027
- 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- BARC 2200
ADA Accommodations: If you need an ADA accommodation to participate in any event, please contact ADA@floridapoly.edu.
Past Events
2026
02/19/26: Fantastic Forces: Elements in Action – Water, the Invisible Force: How Fluoride Science is Interpreted and Who Decides What's Best for the Public
Panel
Dr. Jun Kim
Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering
Florida Polytechnic University
Brad Dantzler
Managing Director & Senior Vice President, Investments at Raymond James & Associates
Winter Haven City Commissioner
Former Mayor of Winter Haven, Florida
Dr. Johnny Johnson
President, American Fluoridation Society
04/07/26: Fantastic Forces: Elements in Action - Sky, The Encroaching Force
2025
03/17/25 – Morals, Skills, & Service: A Discussion on Working in Defense & the Military
Panel
Major James Ellis
U.S. Air Force
Raymond Felderhoff, Sr.
Engineer at Northrop Grumman
Kevin Mujica ’25
Electrical Engineering
Moderator
02/11/25 – Academic Freedom & the Crisis in Higher Education
Panel
Ilya Shapiro
Senior Fellow & Director of Constitutional Studies, The Manhattan Institute / Author of “Lawless: The Miseducation of America’s Elites” / Florida Poly Trustee
Dr. R. Bruce Anderson
Associate Professor of Political Science and The Dr. Sarah D. & L. Kirk McKay, Jr. Endowed Chair in American History, Government & Civics, Florida Southern College
Dr. Peter Lake
Professor of Law, Charles A. Dana Chair & Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law & Policy
Moderator
David Fugett
Vice President & General Counsel
Panel
Ilya Shapiro
Senior Fellow & Director of Constitutional Studies, The Manhattan Institute / Author of “Lawless: The Miseducation of America’s Elites” / Florida Poly Trustee
Dr. R. Bruce Anderson
Associate Professor of Political Science and The Dr. Sarah D. & L. Kirk McKay, Jr. Endowed Chair in American History, Government & Civics, Florida Southern College
Dr. Peter Lake
Professor of Law, Charles A. Dana Chair & Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law & Policy
Moderator
David Fugett
Vice President & General Counsel
09/08/25 - Fantastic Forces: Elements in Action - Earth, the Elemental Force
10/13/25 - Fantastic Forces: Elements in Action - Fire, the Untamed Force
2024
11/18/24 – Human Settlement of Other Planets
Panel
Dr. Ramses Ramirez
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
Dr. Howard Chen
Assistant Professor, Planetary Science, Florida Institute of Technology
Moderator
Dr. Dorian Abbot
Board Trustee, Florida Polytechnic University / Professor, Department of Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago
09/17/24 – Guardians of Democracy: An Interactive Panel on Election Security
Panel
Senator Danny Burgess
Chairman Ethics & Elections Committee
Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith
Senator-Elect, District 17, Orange County
Alan Hays
Lake County Supervisor of Elections
Brad Ashwell
All Voting is Local
Moderator
David Fugett
Vice President & General Counsel
03/28/24 – Paging Dr. Art(ificial) Intelligence
Panel
Dr. Aleksandra Karolak
Assistant Professor of Machine Learning, Moffit Cancer Center
Dr. Issam El Naqa
Professor & Chair of Department of Machine Learning, Moffit Cancer Center
Dr. Youstina I. Bolos, D.P.M.
Podiatric Surgeon, Florida Orthopaedic Institute
Yasar Can Kakdas
Graduate Student, Florida Polytechnic University
Moderator
Susan LeFrancois
Assistant Professor, Data Science
01/31/24 – A.I. Goes to War
Panel
Lt. Duane Tompkins
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Rebekah Sutton
Former USASOC Intelligence Targeting Officer
John “Slick” Baum
Senior Resident Fellow, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Moderator
David Fugett
Vice President & General Counsel
2023
11/07/23 – Autonomous Vehicles & Their Safety
Panel
Senator Jeff Brandes
Former Senator, District 24, Pinellas County
Joe Moye
Vice Chairman & CEO, Beep, Inc.
Rahul Razdan
CEO, Razdan Research Institute
JW Taylor
Managing Member, Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard PL
Moderator
Beth Kigel
Senior Vice President & National Practice Consultant for HNTB / Florida Poly Board of Trustee
10/03/23 – Artificial Intelligence: ChatGPT, Its Ethics & Use
Panel
Kelli Stargel
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Development, & External Relations
Professor Kathleen Hardesty
Associate Professor
Dr. Onur Toker
Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Johanna Campbell
Melia Rodriguez
Florida Poly ‘23 Student Body President & University Board Trustee
Moderator
David Fugett
Vice President & General Counsel
