
Florida Poly kicks off women’s soccer program with inaugural head coach
Florida Polytechnic University has named Jack Paris as the first head coach of its women’s soccer program as the University continues building its new athletics department.

Florida Polytechnic University has named Jack Paris as the first head coach of its women’s soccer program as the University continues building its new athletics department.

Florida Polytechnic University marked a significant milestone on Saturday, May 9, celebrating its largest graduating class to date as more than 430 students crossed the stage at the University’s 2026 commencement.

Andrew McDonnell ’26 never stopped dreaming about the stars. As a child, he looked up at the sky, wondering what was out there, and that curiosity followed him to Florida Poly, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, and worked on a lunar mobility senior capstone project. He graduates on May 9.

Florida Polytechnic University has reached on-campus housing capacity for the upcoming academic year, reflecting continued strong demand and record student interest.

Florida Polytechnic University inducted 12 students into its highly selective Presidential Ambassadors program, where they will serve as official student representatives at key University events and engage with campus and community leaders.

Samantha Bentley ’26 didn’t always feel ready to step into leadership or research roles during her time as a computer science student at Florida Polytechnic University, but discovered she grew the most by doing it anyway. She will receive her bachelor’s degree on Saturday, May 9.

From a modest upbringing to global recognition as a renowned leader in electrical and computer engineering, Florida Polytechnic University professor Dr. Muhammad Rashid is using his personal accomplishments to inspire and improve the future of education in his field.

The future of Florida Polytechnic University and its relationship with Fortune 500 company IFF was discussed at Florida Poly’s annual Corporate Impact Summit on Thursday, Oct. 26. The event, sponsored by the University’s Corporate Impact Network, attracted dozens of students, employees, and community members to the Barnett Applied Research Center on campus to learn about how Florida Poly’s first on-campus

In his last year as Florida Polytechnic University president, Dr. Randy K. Avent was recognized once again for his exceptional leadership by statewide magazine Florida Trend. It is the fifth consecutive year Avent makes the publication’s prominent Florida 500 list, which celebrates the state’s most influential business leaders and executives across major industries. “Being selected alongside so many outstanding leaders

The unmistakable sounds of classic American barbershop music can often be found wafting across Florida Polytechnic University – echoing in the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, serenading groups at The Nest, and reverberating inside the atrium at the Barnett Applied Research Center. The silky-smooth voices behind the infectious tunes are the Polyphonics, Florida Poly’s new barbershop quartet. With four diverse

Florida Polytechnic University students are getting an inside look at STEM career opportunities across varied industries – including those many don’t immediately associate with engineering and applied sciences. The “STEM (in)dustry” event series was launched this fall by the University’s career services office. It was designed to both showcase the versatility of STEM degrees as well as acquaint students with

Florida Polytechnic University junior Mackenzie Stanfield dressed to impress at the University’s annual fall career and internship fair this week, making a beeline to talk with representatives from two of the world’s most respected employers – who also stood to make her professional dreams come true. The Walt Disney Company and Universal Destinations & Experiences attended the event on Thursday,

Florida Polytechnic University revealed on Monday the modern design and functionality of the new Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, a 40,000-square-foot academic facility that will begin construction next spring.

Cybersecurity education at Florida Polytechnic University received a structural and financial boost this year, setting a pathway for producing even more highly skilled professionals in the field. A $477,000 grant from a joint endeavor of the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida) helped enhance and promote both the cybersecurity engineering undergraduate degree, which focuses

Duke Energy Corporation was recognized for its steadfast partnership with Florida Polytechnic University at the institution’s annual state of the University address during Phoenix Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 23. The company received the inaugural Employer Engagement Award, which recognizes industry partners who support the rigorous all-STEM education Florida Poly students receive. Allison Pirpich, Florida Poly’s director of career services

Florida Polytechnic University announced a new name for its state-of-the-art research building: the Barnett Applied Research Center. The name honors the Barnett family and its longstanding support and generosity for the University.

Campus tours, carnival games, and a state of the University address welcomed hundreds of students and their loved ones to the 2023 Phoenix Family Day at Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, Sept. 23. “I think this event is definitely a great thing,” said Oscar Galdona, who traveled from Gibsonton, Florida, to see his son, Nico Galdona. “It integrates the parents

Research scientists and industry leaders from across the country converged at Florida Polytechnic University to learn about research in the area of rare earth element (REE) extraction at the CMI 2023 Phosphate Workshop. The Florida Poly-hosted event, which took place at the Applied Research Center on campus, focused on progress in extracting REEs from phosphoric Acid Sludge, or the byproduct












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.