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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

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Phoenixes reconnect at Florida Polytechnic University alumni event

July 24, 2019

Even though graduation was just a few months ago, Nicolo Aimino ’19 tries to maintain a close connection with his alma mater and the friends he made during his years at Florida Polytechnic University. “You want to make sure not only that you did well while you were going to the university, but the university continues to do well afterward,”

Economy rules at statewide roundtable

July 18, 2019

Business leaders from across the I-4 corridor gathered at Florida Polytechnic University on Wednesday, July 17, to share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges they face at a Florida Department of Economic Opportunity roundtable discussion. “One of the reasons Florida Poly was created was around economic opportunity,” said Dr. Randy K. Avent, University president. “In 2012 we were signed

Get Ignited orientation welcomes newest Phoenixes

July 15, 2019

A morning scavenger hunt, fun games, and informative sessions about life at Florida Polytechnic University welcomed about 100 incoming freshmen to campus on Monday, July 15, during the first pre-orientation session of the fall semester. “This is a great idea because you know you are going to have somebody to lean on now,” said Amanda Reilly, a graduate of Hernando

On the fast track to success

July 13, 2019

Underrepresented students from the Tampa Bay region and across the country learned the important role they can play in the future of transportation during the Garrett A. Morgan Youth Symposium held at Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, July 13, 2019. The symposium is part of the 48th National Meeting and Training Conference of the Conference of Minority Training Officials held

Historic agreement to provide seamless path from Polk State to Florida Polytechnic University

July 12, 2019

Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti and Florida Polytechnic University President Randy Avent will sign an articulation agreement establishing the first seamless pathway for students from Polk County’s state college to the leading institution of engineering and applied sciences. The event will be held Tuesday, July 16, at 11:30 a.m. in LLC 2188 on the Polk State Lakeland Campus,

Fall orientation to ignite excitement for Florida Polytechnic University

July 10, 2019

One of the most difficult parts of transitioning to university life is knowing how to get things done and where to go for help. Florida Polytechnic University’s orientation program aims to make this easier while also giving incoming students strong connections to new peers and mentors across campus. “Orientation is fun and interactive and it really helps new students form

Powering the future through a passion for engineering

July 2, 2019

A summer internship at Siemens in Orlando has become one of the most powerful educational motivators of Florida Polytechnic University senior Kelsey Marin’s life. “I love this experience. It’s amazing,” Marin said. “I love being surrounded by engineers and everyone is super intelligent. Every day, every hour I’ve been learning something new.” Marin, a senior mechanical engineering major with a

Florida Polytechnic University holds key to economic growth says President Avent

June 28, 2019

There is a need to build a robust “creative class” in central Florida to improve the economic future of the region, and Florida Polytechnic University can play a key role in making it happen. That was the core message Dr. Randy K. Avent, Florida Poly president, delivered at the I-4 Commercial Corridor Conference held on Friday, June 28, at the

Destination Aviation Camp fuels up on knowledge at Florida Polytechnic University

June 26, 2019

Future aviators and engineers received a close-up look at Florida Polytechnic University this week as part of a program designed to fuel their budding interest in aviation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), the educational component of Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In Inc., hosts the Destination Aviation Summer Camp for students ages 11 to

Summer fun awaits Florida Polytechnic University students this weekend

June 21, 2019

Summer officially starts today and there are plenty of things for Florida Polytechnic University students to do in the area this weekend to mark today’s end of the Summer A Session and celebrate the beginning of the most fun and relaxing part of the year. Dive-In Movie June 21 – 7-9 p.m. Put on your swimsuit and head to Gandy

Florida Polytechnic University junior optimizing new platform for national retailer

June 20, 2019

For the first time in the company’s more than 100-year history, customers can purchase furniture, appliances and other home goods directly from Badcock Home Furniture &more’s website. Florida Polytechnic University junior Phelippe ‘Phil’ Souza-Herod is playing an important role in making it happen. This summer, Souza-Herod is working on a variety of projects to enhance Badcock’s e-commerce and optimizing the

Florida Polytechnic University senior director to lead international research on autonomous vehicles

June 17, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – As the Advanced Mobility Institute at Florida Polytechnic University positions itself as a leader in autonomous vehicle research, senior director of special projects Dr. Rahul Razdan will head a new series of reports focused on the testing and validation of this emerging technology around the world. SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) approached Razdan to be the