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Florida Polytechnic University Welcomes A-C-T as New Industry Partner

November 26, 2013

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University today signed an industry partnership agreement with A•C•T Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. during a special signing ceremony at the company’s corporate office. The partnership will help to ensure industry-relevant learning experiences for Poly students while connecting A•C•T with emerging high-tech talent.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with A•C•T and are grateful for their commitment to our mission and future students,” said Florida Poly Chief Operating Officer Ava Parker. “I’m confident this partnership will help provide the kind of applied learning opportunities that will positively differentiate our graduates as they enter the workforce.”

Collaborating with industry to offer students real-world problem solving, work experience, applied research and business leadership opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is at the foundation of Florida Poly’s curriculum.

“STEM is also at the core of what we do at A•C•T, so we’re excited to lend our experience and insight to Florida Poly and its students,” said A•C•T President Rob Kincart. “We’re looking forward to all of the shared possibilities this relationship will bring.”

As an industry partner, A•C•T will support Florida Poly by participating in joint research and joint teaching opportunities, helping the university seek research funding, offering industry insight and analysis and opening career development opportunities for Florida Poly students and graduates.

Based in Bartow, Fla. A•C•T is a full-service environmental services company with expertise in environmental and earth sciences, engineering, emergency environmental response, field operations, industrial hygiene and other environmental, engineering and field services.

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.