Florida Poly’s challenging and supportive academic environment is an ideal setting
for students of all backgrounds to meet their full potential end exceed their academic
goals.
Discover an Education Structured for Your Success
At Florida Polytechnic University, we work to support students of all races, ethnicities,
genders, faiths, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds.
We firmly believe that true success comes from a dynamic culture of hands-on learning,
out-of-the-box thinking, and collaborative problem solving. That is why we are committed
to equitable representation and advancement of women in STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) education and careers.
Faculty Spotlight
Florida Poly’s female faculty members strive to support and guide the next generation of STEM leaders on their
path to academic success. These accomplished and enthusiastic professors are dedicated
to inspiring and mentoring young female students, encouraging them to pursue their
goals.
Dr. Grisselle Centeno
In June 2019, Dr. Grisselle Centeno made history by becoming the first Florida Poly professor and one of the first two
professors in the state of Florida to be selected for the Executive Leadership in
Academic Technology, Engineering, and Science (ELATES) program. The prestigious fellowship is designed to advance senior female faculty members in academic STEM disciplines
into effective leadership roles. She is also the recipient of a National Science Foundation grant to develop the ethical identity of future STEM professionals.
Dr. Susan LeFrancois
Florida Poly kicked off its virtual #STEMTalks in 2015 and Dr. Susan LeFrancois helped lead the way. She spoke about the increase of women in STEM fields and how
universities like Florida Poly are bridging the gender gap. LeFrancois also co-founded
THRIVE at Florida Poly, an all-female organization dedicated to helping students build confidence
and leadership skills. She is committed to helping female students succeed at Florida
Poly and leads several outreach efforts to attract more women to STEM fields.
Ahna Cecil plans to pursue a career in health care robotics and eventually become
a project manager in the field. “It was unheard of in my family for anyone to go to
college and it was honestly pretty intimidating,” said Cecil, who is from Pensacola,
Florida. “Eventually I found my mentor – my teacher for my calculus and physics classes
– and he saw my potential and my willingness to learn. He helped me find a path and
he told me about Florida Poly.”
Florida Poly has partnered with the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida to help close
the gender gap in STEM fields. Together, we have worked to provide opportunities such
as the Girl Scouts Camp CEO STEM, which allows high school girls to experience a total
immersion in STEM. Camp participants engage in hands-on activities and connect with
accomplished female STEM professionals while developing leadership and teamwork skills.
Women in STEM
Florida Poly’s commitment to celebrating and elevating the achievements of women in
STEM takes center stage each year. The successes of female STEM professionals at Florida
Poly and throughout central Florida are highlighted at the University's annual Women in STEM event. In addition to an awards ceremony, female leaders from across the state come
together at the event to reflect on the accomplishments of women in STEM fields and
strategize about how to continue cultivating this important community.
Student Clubs and Organizations
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THRIVE at Florida Poly is an all-female organization dedicated to helping students build
confidence and leadership skills. The organization provides many opportunities for
professional development, personal enrichment, and community involvement.
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The mission of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is to stimulate women to achieve their full potential in their professional
careers as engineers and leaders. The organization also aims to expand the image of
the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life.
Palantir launched its Women in Technology Scholarship to foster growth and support
women in STEM fields. Ten scholarship recipients will visit Palantir’s headquarters
and receive up to $10,000 to pay for their education. Select outstanding participants
will be offered an internship.
SWE Scholarships support women pursuing ABET-accredited baccalaureate or graduate
programs in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology and computer
science in the United States and Mexico.
Female undergraduate and graduate STEM students have the opportunity to apply for
The BHW Group’s $3,000 Women in STEM Scholarship. To apply, students need to write
a 500–800-word essay about mobile and web applications.
The HORIZONS Scholarship Program encourages women to pursue careers related to U.S.
national security and defense and to provide development opportunities to women already
working in these fields.
To further the legacy of Dr. Anita Borg, Google created the Women Techmakers Scholars
Program for female undergraduates. $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to female
students with strong academic, leadership and community involvement.