The end of 2024 marks a year filled with exciting changes, big developments and remarkable achievements at Florida Polytechnic University. With a new University president, new degrees, department chairs, national rankings and campus construction, the year had something to celebrate around every corner. As 2025 approaches, the University is looking forward to its best year yet.
In April, Florida Poly’s Board of Trustees announced the selection of Dr. Devin Stephenson as the University’s second president after an extensive nationwide search. He joined the University with a vision that included enrollment growth, infrastructure expansion and improved student success metrics.
For the fourth consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report recognized Florida Poly as the No. 1 public college in the Southeast when it released its 2024-2025 Best Colleges rankings in September. The University also 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 best value public college in the Southeast.
After more than a year of planning, designing and building, the Phoenix Racing solar race team took its first spin around the track at the Formula Sun Grand Prix in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Spark Mk1, the sleek student-built vehicle, completed 93 laps and just under 300 miles to earn seventh place in a field made up of teams representing some of the nation’s most well-known and well-respected schools.
Dr. Sanna Siddiqui, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Florida Polytechnic University, received a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation. The five-year award, part of the NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development Program, is allowing Siddiqui to research the fatigue performance and failure of metal parts that are manufactured through a low-cost form of metal 3D printing, referred to as material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEAM).
The University kicked off the fall 2024 semester with the addition of two new, industry-driven master’s degrees: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. The degrees support the state’s priority of developing Programs of Strategic Emphasis in alignment with economic and workforce needs.
The year started with a bang as an analysis showed Florida Poly graduates students with the least amount of debt of any university in the state. The University ranked No. 1 on the list of lowest student debt with an average of $14,250. According to the report by the Palm Beach Post, the average student debt statewide reaches nearly $40,000.
The Florida Polytechnic University campus soared to life on Aug. 20 as it welcomed the highest enrollment in the history of the institution and opened 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, which encompassed 600 overall new students, including graduate and transfer students.
In April, Florida Poly leaders were joined by state and community officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, a 40,000-square-foot academic facility designed to elevate the institution’s in-demand engineering programs. The $15-million, two-story building will house research and development labs, faculty and staff offices, collaboration spaces and more.
The University was ranked No. 8 in the nation for top career outcomes for its graduates in WalletHub’s 2025’s Best Universities Ranking, released in October. The recognition placed Florida Poly alongside elite institutions such as the California Institute of Technology, Georgetown University and Duke University. Among public institutions, Florida Poly ranked No. 1 in the country. Additionally, WalletHub ranked Florida Poly No. 2 in the state for best cost and financing, and No. 34 nationally.
Phelippe Souza-Herod ’21 has turned a professional aspiration into reality. The computer engineering graduate is a software engineer at Microsoft in Atlanta, working in the company’s Azure division. “I love my job so much. It still feels a little like a dream to be able to do what I always wanted at one of the best places in the world to do it,” he said.
When Florida Poly senior Jaleel Rogers was applying for summer internships, working at aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin was at the top of his list. The computer science major applied for several of the company’s available internships and landed a position as an IT application support intern at Lockheed Martin’s Pinellas Park, Florida, location. After graduation, he plans to continue working with the global aerospace and defense company.
The University strengthened its academic leadership with the addition of two new department chairs for the fall semester, elevating the student learning experience with their expertise and vision. Dr. Asai Asaithambi is the new chair of Florida Poly’s Computer Science Department and Dr. Paul Hettler now leads the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Department.
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
