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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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Students engage with top employers at record-breaking career fair

October 2, 2024

Nearly 100 high-tech companies gathered at Florida Polytechnic University’s Fall Career and Internship Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 1, offering students pathways to competitive, in-demand opportunities. The career fair was the University’s largest ever, growing by over 40% in both student and employer attendance since fall 2023. More than 700 students attended the event. “We’ve hired plenty of Florida Poly students

Florida Poly welcomes 2 distinguished department chairs

October 1, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University has strengthened its academic leadership with the addition of two new department chairs, elevating the student learning experience with their expertise and vision. Dr. Asai Asaithambi is the new chair of the University’s Computer Science Department and Dr. Paul Hettler now leads the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Department. Dr. Asai Asaithambi From his front-row seat in

Florida Poly ranks No. 1 public college in Southeast for 4th straight year

September 24, 2024

For the fourth consecutive year, Florida Polytechnic University has been recognized as the No. 1 public college in the Southeast in the U.S. News and World Report 2024-2025 Best Colleges rankings. Additionally, Florida Poly ranked among the Top 20 public engineering programs without a Ph.D. in the nation for the second year in a row and as the No. 2

Experts tackle election security at Florida Poly panel event

September 18, 2024

With the Nov. 5 election just seven weeks away, Florida Polytechnic University highlighted election security issues at its Guardians of Democracy panel discussion on Tuesday afternoon at its Barnett Applied Research Center. The event, hosted by Florida Poly’s Office of Public Policy Events, brought together a bipartisan group of experts to discuss challenges and solutions in election security. On the

Senior blends engineering ambition with cultural leadership

September 16, 2024

Drive and determination are second nature for Kayle Peña Agront, a senior majoring in computer engineering at Florida Polytechnic University. When not studying, she is gaining experience at her digital engineering internship at Draper, a nonprofit engineering innovation company. Peña is training as a quality engineer in microelectronics at its facility in St. Petersburg, Florida. “I love it – I

Florida Poly’s final Fall 2024 enrollment exceeds recent projections

September 12, 2024

Through a strong final enrollment push during the first weeks of the new academic year, Florida Polytechnic University saw a significant spike in student interest, resulting in record-setting enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester. Classes started on Aug. 20. The University’s updated fall enrollment number is over 1,770, a 10% increase over last year. At the start of the semester,

New SGA president ignites passion for student advocacy

September 11, 2024

As the newest student body president at Florida Polytechnic University, Taki Tsetsekas is embracing his leadership role and diving headfirst into advocating for student progress. “It’s been busy so far, but staying busy is a good thing,” said Tsetsekas, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace. “I love when students come by my office and tell

Community voices guide Florida Poly’s future at first Strategic Planning Summit

September 9, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University took a pivotal step in shaping its future by bringing together industry, education, and community leaders for its first Strategic Planning Summit on Saturday, Sept. 7, fostering innovative collaboration and a shared vision for the years ahead. The event marks the initial step in the process of developing the University’s next five-year strategic plan. Dr. Devin Stephenson,

Transportation tech leader Beth Kigel brings bold vision as Florida Poly’s new board chair

September 6, 2024

Today, the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees convened under new leadership. Beth Kigel, a renowned expert in intelligent transportation technology and smart city ecosystems, has stepped into the role of board chair, bringing extensive experience and a bold-thinking approach to advancing the University’s mission. Kigel currently serves as vice president, national consultant and director of smart and connected solutions

Florida Poly expands engineering horizons with two new master’s degrees

September 3, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University is expanding its educational offerings this fall with the addition of two new, industry-driven master’s degrees: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. “Introducing two master’s degrees in these critical fields shows Florida Poly’s commitment to providing students with the specialized STEM education they need to thrive in high-wage, high-demand careers,”

Florida Poly kicks off year with record enrollment and new residence hall

August 20, 2024

The Florida Polytechnic University campus soared to life on Tuesday, Aug. 20, welcoming the highest enrollment in the history of the institution and opening the doors to a brand new, state-of-the-art student residence facility. Florida Poly’s total enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester reached over 1,700 students, an increase of about 6% over last year. This encompasses 600 overall new

Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building reaches new heights at Florida Poly

August 14, 2024

The company building the new state-of-the-art Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building at Florida Polytechnic University celebrated a major milestone in its construction this week. Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI), the design-build and construction firm behind the project, held a “topping out” ceremony at the building site, with workers and guests signing the structure’s final purple steel beam before it was