News

Latest News

From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

September 5, 2025

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

September 3, 2025

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

August 27, 2025

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

August 22, 2025

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

Florida Poly’s enrollment hits record high, momentum soars

August 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.

Florida Poly reaches new heights with record Fulbright participation

August 13, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is welcoming the largest cohort of distinguished Fulbright awardees in its history, with international scholars and students set to pursue advanced research and graduate studies during the 2025-26 academic year. The group of 21 graduate students and scholars participating in the prestigious U.S. State Department program reflects the University’s solid commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing

All Stories

Visiting Fulbright scientist from Spain advances research at Florida Poly

November 16, 2022

Dr. Fernando González Fermoso, head scientist of the Spanish Research Council in Spain, is spending nine months at Florida Polytechnic University collaborating on environmental engineering research at the campus. “This is my first time really getting deep into American universities,” he said. “The relationship with industry is much stronger here. I know how the American university works and its connection

Tabletop Club brings fun, fantasy to Florida Poly students

November 14, 2022

In a world of magic, dragons, and giants, students at Florida Polytechnic University immerse themselves in a fantasy adventure and band together to reach a common goal. The Tabletop Club invites all Phoenixes with a taste for fun, storytelling, battle, and friendship to join them. “Anyone who is interested in making friends and learning more about a cool way to

AdvancementJohnson ScholarshipScholarships

November 8, 2022

With the Johnson Scholarship Foundation’s financial support and a fervent belief that he can succeed, Florida Polytechnic University senior Graham Gilbert is determined to reach his educational goals. Gilbert, from West Palm Beach, Florida, is working toward a bachelor’s degree in data science with a concentration in quantitative economics and econometrics. “As college students, we probably all don’t have amazing

Electrical engineering alumna helps create next-generation medical devices

November 3, 2022

Chelsea Reeves ’19 always had dual passions for engineering and biology. Today, she fulfills both in her position as a product development engineer at Arthrex, a global orthopedic medical device company based in Naples, Florida. Reeves works on Orthobiologics and Vet systems at the company. “Orthobiologics is the new regenerative medicine of the world and as a team, we are

IFF launches Florida Poly partnership with $125K scholarship and research fund

November 2, 2022

IFF (NYSE:IFF) announced a $125,000 gift to Florida Polytechnic University, as both entities laid the foundation for a first-of-its-kind partnership between the University and the Fortune 500 company. IFF officials said the donation will be divided in two important areas: $25,000 for student scholarships and $100,000 for a new research fund to support faculty projects. The announcement was made during

Florida Poly team on way to fully autonomous golf cart

November 1, 2022

A project to turn a standard golf cart into an autonomous vehicle has made a huge leap forward at Florida Polytechnic University. The students and faculty have successfully transformed the golf cart into a drive-by-wire vehicle – one that can be controlled by remote control. The Florida Poly community can often see the solar-powered golf cart zipping around campus with

Industry partnership advances cybersecurity, high-tech career opportunities

October 28, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University students are gaining insider industry knowledge, improving career readiness, and finding valuable employment opportunities thanks to a partnership with KnowBe4, a global security awareness training and simulated phishing provider based in Clearwater, Florida. KnowBe4 has hired multiple University alumni and interns. Alyssa Nichols, global talent outreach manager at the company, said she has been impressed by their

Florida Poly president selected to prominent list of top influential leaders

October 27, 2022

For the fourth consecutive year, Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been recognized as one of Florida’s most influential leaders by Florida Trend magazine. The publication’s annual Florida 500 list features the state’s top leaders and executives across major industries. “It is an honor to be included in the Florida 500 list among so many remarkable

IFF and Florida Poly celebrate construction of state-of-the-art Global Citrus Innovation Center

October 25, 2022

Today in a ceremonial presentation, IFF (NYSE:IFF) and Florida Polytechnic University laid the foundation for the new Citrus Innovation Center, located on the University’s campus in Lakeland, Florida. The nearly 30,000-square-foot, standalone building will support global citrus research and development, and will include sensory and experience venues, research labs, processing, analytical departments, a fully equipped citrus garden and amenities for

Avent appointed to Orlando Economic Partnership board

October 20, 2022

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, recently was appointed to the board of Orlando Economic Partnership. The board works to unify community strategies to build a stronger, more prosperous economy for the Central Florida region. The partnership is a public-private, not-for-profit economic and community development organization. In addition to Avent, its board includes members from organizations like

Transfer students reach for personal success at Florida Poly

October 19, 2022

Gabriel Pinson’s fascination with energy has taken him from a student at Pasco-Hernando State College to an oil and gas employee in Wyoming to his current role as a mechanical engineering student at Florida Polytechnic University. Pinson, now a junior, said Florida Poly is offering him the best education to launch him into a career in energy or defense. He

Florida Poly Foundation Board adds members with industry, University insight

October 18, 2022

The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation’s Board of Directors has welcomed the appointment of four members with expertise in engineering, information technology, law, and the University itself. The University’s Board of Trustees recently approved the appointments of Kristen Lowers, chief information officer at Saddle Creek Logistics Services, and Florida Poly student Madison Yonash to the Board. Dr. Muhammad Rashid, professor of