The 2025-2026 class of Presidential Ambassadors is inducted on Friday, April 25. From left are Armaan Teeruth Roy, Jorgeandres Alvarez, Alyson Smyth, Ellie de Berry, Daniel Fellows, Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson, Aidan Flynn, Lucas Batista, Madeleine Prewett, and Erica Kozak.
Florida Polytechnic University’s newest crop of Presidential Ambassadors is ready to make an impact. The nine students selected for the prestigious 2025-2026 cohort were officially inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, April 25, marking the beginning of their leadership journey at the University.
Presidential Ambassadors are an elite group of students who are appointed each year by the University president after a rigorous selection process that evaluates academic standing and leadership potential. Once selected, they receive specialized training in communication, leadership and professional development.
Throughout the year, the Presidential Ambassadors serve as official representatives and hosts at key events, embodying the spirit and excellence of Florida Poly.
“Now that you are part of this very distinguished group, you will become the voice and persona of all things Florida Poly,” Dr. Devin Stephenson, the University’s president, said at the induction. “You’re helping shape our story as the newest university in the state of Florida.”
The professional benefits Presidential Ambassadors gain through service were irresistible for Alyson Smyth, a sophomore electrical engineering major from Sebring, Florida.
“I wanted to gain stronger communication skills and experience a professional setting outside of the classroom to help get me ready to be on that next level for interviews and internships,” Smyth said. “I’m looking forward to learning more about the University and its goals because I definitely feel like choosing Florida Poly was a great fit for me.”
Jorgeandres Alvarez, a junior majoring in computer science, said he is eager to contribute and proudly represent the University as a Presidential Ambassador.
“Florida Poly needs a voice, and I think I can be that because I attend school here, work here, have lived in the dorms, and have lived off campus,” said Alvarez, who is originally from Puerto Rico and grew up in Pinellas County, Florida. “I can benefit Florida Poly because people can ask me questions and I can easily say, ‘OK, this is my life at Florida Poly and it’s awesome.’”
Erica Kozak, who has been a Presidential Ambassador since her sophomore year, is chair of the new cohort.
“I’m very excited and nervous because I’ve had leadership positions on campus before, but this one feels very high-stakes,” the mechanical engineering major from Arcadia, Florida, said. “We represent Florida Poly, and I believe we can best do that by moving forward. My vision for the program is really to do more community service and to just be good – I just want them to be great.”
The Presidential Ambassadors program is sponsored by MidFlorida Credit Union.
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
