Joshua Mathews, left, and his dad, Michael Mathews, stand near the Duke Energy Lab at Florida Polytechnic University. Joshua Mathews, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering at the University, has completed three internships at Duke Energy and plans to work there after graduating. Michael Mathews is Duke Energy Florida’s director of project management for distribution for the state’s west coast and has been a vital part of Duke Energy’s relationship with Florida Poly.
A strategic collaboration between energy giant Duke Energy and Florida Polytechnic University is fueling innovation and powering the future of STEM talent. The seven-year relationship has flourished, providing essential support for the University and access to a pipeline of top engineering talent to Duke Energy.
Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation have invested over $350,000 into Florida Poly’s programs since 2017. This academic year, the Duke Energy Foundation contributed $50,000 to launch both the Presidential Speaker Series, the first of which takes place on Monday, Nov. 18, and a Summer STEM Academy set to start in the summer of 2025.
“Florida Polytechnic University students focus on important studies such as science, technology and engineering which prepares them for a number of critical career fields at Duke Energy,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We believe working closely with universities ensures graduates will have the expertise and knowledge they need to find fulfilling jobs throughout the utility industry and help develop a diverse workforce to strengthen our communities and economies today and in the future.”
Building on that shared commitment, Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Poly, highlighted how such strategic collaborations enrich both the University and the region.
“Our entire community benefits when visionary industry partners like Duke Energy invest in our students and our University,” Stephenson said. “By funding impactful initiatives, Duke Energy not only expands horizons for our students, but also demonstrates that the prestigious companies they aspire to work for are equally invested in their future.”
Michael Mathews, Duke Energy Florida’s director of project management for distribution for the state’s west coast, said he was excited to begin building a relationship with Florida Poly several years ago and remains just as enthusiastic today. He attends career events, connects with students, and scouts potential engineering talent for the company.
“I’m really proud and excited about the company’s commitment to this relationship; it’s been a chance for us to join Florida Poly early on and share some of our needs,” Mathews said, highlighting his participation on Florida Poly curriculum advisory boards. “It doesn’t feel like a task when I come here – it feels like a partnership where I get to be part of something bigger.”
Mathew’s son, Joshua Mathews, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Florida Poly in May. He has completed three Duke Energy internships and has a job offer as an engineer at the company’s Winter Garden location – a path Michael Mathews said is not uncommon among interns at the company. He said two Florida Poly computer engineering seniors, who also interned at the company, recently received job offers from Duke Energy, as well.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, a laboratory inside the Barnett Applied Research Center on campus was named the Duke Energy Lab in honor of the company’s longstanding support.
“I am proud of the relationship we have built between Duke Energy and Florida Polytechnic University,” said LaQuitta Ghent, Duke Energy vice president of zone operations. “Year after year we have been able to shape experiences these students have through sponsorship of different on-campus programming, the engineering school, and working directly with the next generation through internships.”
Kathy Bowman, vice president of advancement and CEO of the Florida Poly Foundation, said the ongoing collaboration between Duke Energy and the University has created meaningful opportunities for students, opening doors to hands-on learning, career development, and industry connections.
“We are incredibly proud of the strong partnership we created with Duke Energy along with the Duke Energy Foundation and the profound impact the partnership has had on students’ lives through programming and scholarships,” Bowman said. “This relationship clearly shows how the University, the talent pipeline, and companies can benefit when Florida Poly and industry come together.”
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Lydia Guzmán
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