Every online Amazon order triggers a complex, behind-the-scenes system, speeding the product to its recipient as quickly and efficiently as possible. This summer, Florida Polytechnic University senior Megan Demeritt is getting an inside look at those operations while helping make them even better as an area manager intern with the e-commerce giant.
Florida Polytechnic University’s Phoenix Racing team is preparing for its first 1,500-mile cross-country solar race, the centerpiece of two national competitions in Minnesota this month. The team will compete in the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix and the Electrek American Solar Challenge, a grueling endurance race from the Twin Cities to Texas.
Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $19 million for Florida Polytechnic University in the state’s 2026-2027 budget on Monday, June 29, fueling the University’s continued growth and expansion as Florida’s only public STEM university.
Florida Polytechnic University had the largest one-year performance gain among all state universities in the Florida Board of Governors’ 2025-26 Performance-Based Funding Model, earning a score of 87 out of 100 and securing nearly $11 million in performance funding.
Florida Polytechnic University graduates earn the highest salaries among alumni from Florida’s public universities five years after graduation, according to a recent analysis by the Tampa Bay Business Journal based on new Florida Department of Education data.
The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors has new leadership, five new members, and five reappointed community leaders. The Florida Poly Board of Trustees approved the appointments on May 22.
Longtime attorney and higher education leader David Fugett has been named vice president and general counsel at Florida Polytechnic University. Fugett joins Florida Poly with more than 25 years of experience in law and a distinguished record of serving his community. Fugett joins the University after serving four years as general counsel and prelaw advisor at New College of Florida.
As a maintenance technician, Jorge Velazquez is proud of his hard work helping to keep the Florida Polytechnic University campus running smoothly. But it’s his volunteer work during evenings and weekends to help an impoverished community in Honduras that inspires and motivates him to keep pushing forward. This time is spent collecting and selling scrap metal, repairing discarded items to
Just three years out of college, one Florida Polytechnic University alum is thriving in an exciting career with international video game powerhouse Electronic Arts (EA).
John Lane always has a smile, directions, or a quick golf cart ride ready to help students, employees, and visitors to the Florida Polytechnic University campus in Lakeland, Florida. He also has specialized gear that helps him rid busy sections of campus of the occasional unwanted visitor, like alligators, snakes, and other wildlife. “I love this job so much. I
Families of Florida Polytechnic University students will join their Phoenixes on campus for a day of exploration, bonding, and fun during the annual Phoenix Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 24. The beloved campus tradition offers parents, siblings, and other loved ones a window into students’ lives on campus and the many resources available to them. They also enjoy fun activities,
Select freshmen at Florida Polytechnic University can start learning valuable coding and programming skills from their first day of enrollment, thanks to a unique program designed to prepare them early for high-skill, high-wage internships and then careers in the tech industry. The Coding for Data Analytics Certificate is an 18-credit program that begins after their high school graduation. The program
Florida Polytechnic University student Andrew Franz Pulido often attracts attention from students, faculty, and staff as he practices his unusual instrument – a Hohner diatonic accordion — at the University’s Oak Grove or outside the Wellness Center. “A lot of students have been coming up to me, astonished by the instrument and the sound it produces,” he said. “It’s quite
For second year in a row, Florida Polytechnic University is ranked the No. 1 public college by U.S. News and World Report in the Southern region of the United States. The University was also ranked third among all top colleges in the region – both public and private.
The Department of Data Science and Business Analytics at Florida Polytechnic University has focused on cultivating a tech-forward, industry-leading program since its inception in 2014. The department’s stature in the academic world has grown steadily, positioning it to attract standout faculty, conduct innovative research, and host prominent conferences. “The department’s success demonstrates that Florida Poly is at the forefront of
Florida Polytechnic University leaders have solidified an agreement with the U.S-Italy Fulbright Commission to provide educational opportunities between the University and Italy. The new memorandum of understanding follows the existing framework already in place for collaborations between Florida Poly and several international Fulbright partners. The agreement will allow distinguished Italian scholars to conduct research at Florida Poly and work with
The Nest was transformed into a club-recruiting mecca on Thursday, Aug. 25 at Club Row, a large, student-run event that provides a platform for student organizations to share what they do and recruit new members at the start of each semester. “Getting involved is a way to really become a better student,” said junior computer science major Melia Rodriguez, who
A group of Florida Polytechnic University’s brightest and most promising students was recognized on Monday, Aug. 22, at the Inaugural Alexander Scholars Luncheon. The John R. Alexander Scholars Program is a scholarship program that supports exceptionally high-achieving students in reaching their personal and professional goals without taking on the burden of student debt. Alexander Scholars receive a new laptop and a $40,000
Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.
