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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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Florida Poly students stand together against proposed UF merger

February 25, 2020

A student-led effort to express support for Florida Polytechnic University and opposition to a proposed merger with the University of Florida transformed the serene Oak Grove into a setting of boisterous unity on Tuesday, Feb. 25. “We are making a stand today to show that Florida Poly is unique and has a great education system with hands-on, project-based learning and

Students celebrate at Florida Poly’s Degree Declaration Day

February 24, 2020

Freshman Timothy Honeycutt strode up to a kiosk in the center of the Saddle Creek Logistics Commons on Feb. 24 to grab a cupcake and officially declare electrical engineering as his major during Florida Polytechnic University’s first Degree Declaration Day. For Honeycutt, the declaration was a long time coming. “I studied a bunch of circuit stuff on my own time

Dozens of companies seek high-skilled STEM talent at Florida Poly career fair

February 21, 2020

Fifty companies gathered at the Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland this week for the annual spring career fair, looking to fill countless positions with the high-tech, high-skilled talent Florida Polytechnic University produces. “We have many employers who started with us back in 2016, when we had only 13 companies here, and many return to campus yearly seeking more

Florida Poly partnership enhances training of Latin American business execs

February 18, 2020

CEOs, owners, and other business leaders from five Latin American countries explored the Florida Polytechnic University campus and learned tools to improve their corporate operations on Feb. 14 as part of Experiencia Set. The initiative partners with The Walt Disney Company to provide a close-up look at how the company operates effectively while providing exceptional service to its customers. The

Florida Poly students work to revolutionize palm tree trimming

February 14, 2020

Pruning Florida’s towering palm trees is a tough, dangerous job, but a team of Florida Polytechnic University seniors is working to make the task faster, safer, and more cost effective. “From the ground, you have to be careful that the palm fronds don’t fall on you, and some have spines that can puncture you on the way down,” said James

Florida Poly students engage business leaders at Synapse Summit

February 13, 2020

A group of Florida Polytechnic University students seized the opportunity to network with business leaders, learn about career possibilities, and teach the Central Florida business community about what Florida Poly has to offer at an annual event hosted by Synapse, an entrepreneurship support organization. The students attended the two-day Synapse Summit at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 12-13.

Student entrepreneurs wow industry at eMerge Americas Pitch Night

February 12, 2020

Student entrepreneurs showed off their big ideas to a panel of Florida business leaders Feb. 10 during the first Florida Polytechnic University and eMerge Americas Startup Pitch Night in Lakeland, Florida, at the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building. Dorian Alberti, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, and River Anderson, a senior majoring in business analytics, pitched their idea for the

One Florida Poly Against Cancer spreads message of awareness

February 7, 2020

The knowledge that cancer eventually touches everyone in some way drives a group of Florida Polytechnic University students to do all they can to raise money and awareness to battle the disease. “One of my friends passed away from cancer so I wanted to start this organization to bring light to the disease and help other people who might be

Florida Poly students suit up for success at career clothing event

February 6, 2020

Students hoping to present a polished image to interviewers browsed through racks of donated professional clothing during Florida Polytechnic University’s annual Career Services Clothing Rack event on Feb. 5 at the Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland, Florida. They tried on and took home the donated attire at no charge. “The minimum requirement for a good interview is to

Alum finds tech success with $120K Facebook partnership

February 5, 2020

For Andre Ripley ’19, Facebook provides much more than a way to stay connected to friends and family. The social media and technology company is giving him a chance at a lucrative career and success as a tech entrepreneur. Ripley, who graduated from Florida Polytechnic University with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, was awarded a $120,000 partnership deal with

Professor shares novel mathematical concept with Florida Poly students and faculty

February 3, 2020

Students interested in learning an innovative way to make solving a complex mathematical problem faster and easier crowded into the Aula Magna at Florida Polytechnic University on Jan. 31. Dr. Udita Katugampola, an assistant professor of mathematics, shared with the students a fast and nontraditional approach he has developed to find the eigenvector of a matrix. He explained how his

Ultimate Frisbee flies into action at Florida Poly

January 31, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University senior Megan Morano attended her first practice of the Florida Poly Mutants on a lark. The business analytics major knew nothing about ultimate Frisbee and expected the practice to be her one and only, but Morano was all in as soon as she discovered the group of supportive, friendly players who were focused on helping her improve.