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Florida Poly Foundation Board brings student and alumni to the table

December 11, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time, students and alumni will have representation on the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors. Travis Hills ’19 and senior Ryan Perez are the new members of the Foundation Board after the University’s Board of Trustees confirmed the appointments on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

“It is important that we have a closer touch with the student experience in their words,” said Alice Hunt, Foundation chair. “I would like to hear thoughts and opinions from these bright minds. I hope we can share our connections and commitments with them as well.”

Hills, who graduated in spring 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, said he is excited to offer a fresh perspective to the Foundation Board. He also wants to help the Board develop innovative ways to support the University and its mission. For him, it is personal.

“My education was possible thanks to a Florida Poly scholarship,” said Hills, who now works as a systems security analyst for Saddle Creek Logistics Services. “I know firsthand the impact University support has in assisting students financially through their college career.”

Perez, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, is the current Student Government Association (SGA) president and also serves as a member of the Florida Poly’s Board of Trustees.

Hills and Perez will participate in the next Foundation Board meeting, scheduled for Jan. 24, 2020.

The other members of Florida Poly’s Foundation Board of Directors are community leaders and industry experts who see the potential to fuel dreams, boost the economy, and cement Florida Poly’s position as a high-tech leader. The Foundation Board works closely with University leadership to align fundraising efforts with Florida Poly’s plan for the future.

“The big picture is that as we bring new minds to the Foundation, we can all work together to fundraise and continually elevate the University to bigger and better successes,” Hunt said.

Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Director of Communications
863-874-8557

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.