About 170 high school counselors from across Florida explored the cutting-edge labs, hands-on curriculum, and modern housing at Florida Polytechnic University on Friday, Dec. 5, gaining a firsthand look at the transformative experience awaiting their savvy STEM students.
“We have visitors from Key West to Pensacola, and 80% of them haven’t been here before, so this is their first time experiencing and understanding what we do here,” said Dr. Andy Oguntola, assistant vice president of admissions. “We saw in our data that roughly 60% of students who actually visit campus choose to attend Florida Poly, so imagine what that means to the counselors, because how can they advocate for it if they’ve never seen it before.”
The visit gave counselors a stronger connection to Florida Poly and deepened their understanding of the opportunities available to their students.
“I like to actually come to the campus because students will ask you questions and it’s hard to answer if you’ve only seen pictures,” said Eladia Chávez, a guidance counselor at the School for Advanced Studies in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly’s president, welcomed the group to the Barnett Applied Research Center and emphasized the critical role counselors play in shaping student pathways.
“I started my career as a dean of students in charge of recruiting at that institution, so I have a great appreciation for the influencers that lead students to their future,” he said. “We know that you help them find their path, and then we help them build their future. It’s a role we play together.”
Stephenson discussed recent University updates, including the coming addition of bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences and aerospace engineering, the availability of Dale Carnegie leadership training for students, increased industry partnerships, campus growth, and graduate career success.
“We move fast, we think big, and we are fueling the state’s economy,” he said.
The counselors participated in several educational sessions during their visit, covering such topics as student support resources, academic success guidance, academic rigor and campus recreation.
School counselor Allison Tate was excited to stop by the Campus Store to pick up branded Phoenix gear before heading back to Lake Mary Preparatory School in Lake Mary, Florida. One of her students will join Florida Poly as a freshman in fall 2026.
“This was his first choice, and I think it’s so great that we have a university option for students that is smaller, manageable, easily navigated, and really focuses on those STEM subjects they are so interested in,” Tate said. “Students know that they will find other people here who are as focused on STEM as they are, and that is really valuable.”
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
