
Five Florida Poly faculty among world’s top 2% of scientists
Research advancing scientific knowledge and technology has earned five Florida Polytechnic University faculty members a place on Stanford University’s 2026 World’s Top 2% Scientists list.

Research advancing scientific knowledge and technology has earned five Florida Polytechnic University faculty members a place on Stanford University’s 2026 World’s Top 2% Scientists list.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been named to Florida Trend magazine’s prestigious Florida 500 list for the third straight year, recognizing his leadership and growing influence in advancing STEM education and economic development.

Florida Polytechnic University’s new athletics program has received its first philanthropic gift, a $60,000 contribution from longtime Lakeland residents Bob and Deedra Knight. The milestone donation marks an exciting step forward for Florida Poly Athletics as the University builds its inaugural sports teams and gains support from the local community.

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) announced today that its Board of Directors has voted to grant accreditation to Florida Polytechnic University, marking the Commission’s first accreditation decision since its founding in 2025.

University and international leaders gathered at Florida Polytechnic University on Wednesday, Oct. 21, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the U.S. State Department’s Fulbright Program alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department has become the first law enforcement agency in the nation to integrate an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle into its operations. The manned aircraft, dubbed Astro in a double nod to science and the dog from the classic Jetsons cartoon, marks Florida Poly’s entry into the rapidly developing field of advanced air

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.

Few coaches can match a resume that includes winning an NBA championship alongside Michael Jordan and leading a college program to sustained success on the national stage. Dennis Hopson has done both. Florida Poly has named Hopson as the first head coach of its Men’s Basketball program.

David Zambrano ’26 is on the pioneering edge of a field that has the potential to one day replace modern electronics. He is advancing research in silicon photonics – a technology that uses light instead of electricity to transmit and process data.

Florida Polytechnic University has named TJ Marik as the inaugural head coach of its baseball program. The addition brings another instrumental leader to the University as it continues to establish its new athletics program. Marik brings substantial head coaching experience and a strong background in player development to the new role.

Austin Lubetkin ’19 has built a career at the intersection of technology and creativity, balancing software engineering at Northrop Grumman with a passion for visual art. Now, the Florida Poly alumnus is bringing those worlds together in “Memories of Water,” an exhibit at the Orlando Science Center.

Florida Polytechnic University has named Clay Roberts the first head coach of its men’s soccer program, adding an experienced team builder as the University continues launching its new athletics department.

Florida Polytechnic University is poised to continue its strong trajectory of growth following the Florida Legislature’s approval of $19 million in the state’s 2026-2027 budget to support student success initiatives, infrastructure growth and strategic enrollment expansion.

Florida Poly senior Joseph Noble is taking on a global challenge that could help transform the use of generative artificial intelligence in mechanical engineering. Noble, a computer engineering major, is working at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany this summer as part of the country’s prestigious DAAD RISE program.

Florida Polytechnic University has named Nikki Jessee as the first head coach of its women’s basketball program, adding another experienced leader as the University continues to build Florida Poly Athletics.

Florida Polytechnic University has been recognized with the prestigious 2026 Ellucian Impact Award for transforming the student experience through advanced technology solutions that improve student success and operational efficiency.











