Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, will play a meaningful role in advancing high-tech economic growth in our region as the new member of The Florida High Tech Corridor Council.
The Corridor is an economic initiative that stretches across 23 counties, with the purpose of developing a stronger high-tech industry through partnerships that support research, marketing, entrepreneurship and a high-skilled workforce.
The Corridor Council manages a research funding initiative called Matching Grants Research Program, which has created partnerships with over 360 companies on more than 1,400 research projects in industries ranging from Aerospace to Sustainable Energy. It also promotes programs aimed at inspiring more young students to pursue careers in math and science, and provides small business leaders tools to start or grow their businesses.
“It is a great honor to be part of The Florida High Tech Corridor Council,” said Dr. Avent. “This gives us the opportunity to develop economic strategies with academics and industry leaders helping to create the high-tech jobs that will make Florida the beacon for research and scientific development.”
The Council is co-chaired by the presidents the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF). The partnership involves more than 25 local and regional economic development organizations and 14 community colleges.
“Dr. Avent brings years of experience in higher education and STEM industries to the Council. We look forward to his contributions as we grow high tech industry and innovation in our 23-county region,” said Ed Schons, Florida High Tech Corridor President.
Dr. Avent is the founding president of Florida Polytechnic University, the only public university in the state dedicated exclusively to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). He is committed to developing an environment that fosters innovation and nurtures collaborative research to create next generation of high-tech professionals and business leaders.
Prior to joining Florida Poly, Dr. Avent served as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and a Professor of Computer Science at North Carolina State University. There, he was responsible for growing the university’s research program and developed a new research institute. His experience also includes 20 years at the MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, where he led research groups and conducted research as the Associate Chief Technology Officer.
Dr. Avent holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Mathematics and Engineering from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He has two master’s degrees, one in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University and the other in Biomedical Mathematics and Engineering from the University of North Carolina. His bachelor’s degree is in Zoology from the University of North Carolina. Dr. Avent is also a 2005 graduate of the Greater Boston Executive Program at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).