
Student clubs spark competition at first Engineering Olympics
Nearly 100 Florida Polytechnic University students put their engineering skills to the test at the University’s first-ever Engineering Olympics on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Nearly 100 Florida Polytechnic University students put their engineering skills to the test at the University’s first-ever Engineering Olympics on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Just two years after graduating from Florida Polytechnic University, Melia Rodriguez ’24 is putting her skills to work on technology used by one of the world’s leading providers of real estate data and analytics. As a software engineer at CoStar Group in Richmond, Virginia, she develops tools that help support critical business operations and the company’s expansion into new international markets.

When Colby Manrodt ’26 stepped up to become president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at Florida Polytechnic University in the fall of 2025, he prioritized strengthening students’ sense of community and restructuring the organization. Now in his second term, the now graduate student aims to take those goals even further.

The Detroit Tigers and Florida Polytechnic University are launching a new partnership that brings together data science, academic research and professional sports to tackle real-world challenges in player health and performance.

Florida Polytechnic University’s data science and computer science programs are earning top recognition in newly released rankings from Research.com, including No. 1 spots among Florida’s public universities and a top 20 national ranking for the University’s undergraduate data science degree.

More than a dozen students, scholars and faculty from around the world are expanding their research and academic experiences through a growing range of international exchange programs at Florida Polytechnic University this semester.
The Florida Polytechnic University campus will be awash in tie-dye, casino-style games, and fun competition when Purple Fire Week welcomes students back to the fall semester on Wednesday, Aug. 21. “It’s a fun time to come out and experience something different,” said Tonya Chestnut, director of student development at Florida Poly. Chestnut said the welcome-back events, which extend through Saturday,
The first day of the fall semester is just around the corner. The start of a new academic year can be a time of uncertainty for new students. That is why those who have been around Florida Polytechnic University for a few years provide some help to ease the transition. Florida Poly juniors, seniors, and alumni offer their best advice

Ryan Perez has a vision for the perfect student experience at Florida Polytechnic University. He wants to make sure every student feels connected, supported, and part of the vibrant university community. And he wants them to have a great time while they’re at it. “My goal is to get students more involved in student government and student life in general
Zubaidah Sabah is beginning a journey at Florida Polytechnic University that she hopes will one day transform the agricultural future of her home country of Iraq. “I just want people in my country to see how automation and using technology – robotics, aerial vehicles and drones in agriculture – will change our situation,” said Sabah, who received a bachelor’s degree
Andre Goode ’18 gets to wake up every morning and go to work at a place most people only dream of visiting. It is the place where magic happens. Disney magic, that is. “One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a Disney technologist is being able to see the fruit of my own labor,” Goode said in a telephone

Natalie Brum has found a career she’d like to stick with. The Florida Polytechnic University senior is completing her second summer internship in Maplewood, Minnesota, as a project engineer at 3M, a company known for its innovation in products used around the world, including Command hooks, Post-it Notes, and thousands of other items.
Some of the most memorable, attention-grabbing ads and shows on TV today are optimized using advanced neuroanalytics to create content that consumers will respond to. Florida Polytechnic University senior Chelsea Reeves has spent her summer helping improve that process as a Neuroanalytics Engineer in the Big Apple. “It’s been absolutely wonderful,” said Reeves, an electrical engineering major. “I wanted an
LAKELAND, Fla. – Dozens of high school girls from the West Central Florida region will have the unique opportunity to experience total immersion in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) during the very first Girl Scouts Camp CEO STEM at Florida Polytechnic University July 26-28. About 30 girls in grades 10-12 will spend two days and nights on the iconic
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,”
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
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
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

