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From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

September 5, 2025

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

September 3, 2025

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

August 27, 2025

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

August 22, 2025

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

Florida Poly’s enrollment hits record high, momentum soars

August 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.

Florida Poly reaches new heights with record Fulbright participation

August 13, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is welcoming the largest cohort of distinguished Fulbright awardees in its history, with international scholars and students set to pursue advanced research and graduate studies during the 2025-26 academic year. The group of 21 graduate students and scholars participating in the prestigious U.S. State Department program reflects the University’s solid commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing

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Florida Poly #1 most affordable cybersecurity degree program in nation

January 17, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked the No. 1 most affordable cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program in the country for 2024. Cybersecurity Guide, an online resource specializing in cybersecurity and cybersecurity education, based its rankings on overall degree cost divided by the number of credits needed to graduate. Florida Poly’s bachelor’s degree in computer science features a concentration in information assurance

Police officer returns to Florida Poly to serve and protect

January 9, 2024

In an unusual twist of fate, Officer Abby Payne has come full circle, returning to Florida Polytechnic University, not as a student, but as a member of the University Police Department. Payne was part of Florida Poly’s inaugural class, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. “It’s bittersweet coming back to where I started,” she said. “It’s a wild ride being

Alum thrives as Microsoft software engineer

January 5, 2024

Phelippe Souza-Herod ’21 is rocketing toward his professional goals as a software engineer at Microsoft in Atlanta, Georgia. The computer engineering graduate has found success in the dynamic world of technology, working with Microsoft’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

Florida Poly Makerspace sparks student ingenuity

January 3, 2024

The Makerspace at Florida Polytechnic University is giving students a creative haven to independently work on personal or classroom projects. The informal lab opened during the fall 2023 semester and is overseen by the University’s library. It is equipped with a diverse array of tools and equipment, including ordinary implements like wrenches and hammers, as well as specialized equipment such

Florida Poly’s top stories of 2023

December 22, 2023

Each year brings new accomplishments and good news for Florida Polytechnic University and 2023 was no different. The University earned stellar national rankings, received generous donations, and got to work on several new buildings around campus. Students, alumni, and faculty members also continued to make academic and professional impacts on the state and across the nation. As Florida Poly looks

Florida Poly average SAT scores among highest in state

December 18, 2023

Students accepted to Florida Polytechnic University have the second-best SAT scores among public universities in the state, according to an analysis of federal data published recently by the Palm Beach Post. Among all Florida universities both public and private, Florida Poly ranked third in top SAT scores with an average admitted student SAT score of 1295 in 2021, the most

Fulbright Scholar propels wind turbine innovation at Florida Poly

December 15, 2023

Dr. Alejandro Rolán, a researcher and professor from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain, is concluding his Fulbright Scholar term at Florida Polytechnic University this December. During his four-month stay, Rolán worked in collaboration with Dr. Edwar Romero-Ramirez, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Florida Poly, on innovative research aimed at revolutionizing wind turbine sensor technology. Rolán, whose academic

Student projects wow with real-world tech presentations

December 14, 2023

A catapult, knitting machine, autonomous car, and robot were among the many student-designed projects on display last week as part of course presentations at Florida Polytechnic University. Dr. Rawa Adla is an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering who teaches the microprocessors class that prompted the diverse designs. She said the presentations on Wednesday, Dec. 6, were part of

Search for Florida Poly’s 2nd president officially kicks off

December 13, 2023

The search for the next president of Florida Polytechnic University was officially launched on Wednesday, Dec. 13, after the University’s Board of Trustees approved the presidential position criteria recommended by its presidential search committee. With this Board’s approval, the committee is ready to charge full steam ahead with the search process and subsequent review of candidates. The approval comes one

Florida Poly’s Dieckmann contributes to national discussion on higher ed resilience

December 5, 2023

Mike Dieckmann, vice president for information technology services and CIO at Florida Polytechnic University, recently made significant contributions to digital journal Educause Review’s annual top 10 issues report for higher education information technology for 2024. Educause, a national association for higher education IT professionals, annually assembles a diverse panel of experts to explore pressing challenges in the field. Dieckmann has

Fall Game Expo spotlights student-created video games

December 2, 2023

Video games challenged and entertained high school students from throughout the region on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Florida Polytechnic University’s annual Fall Game Expo. The event showcased games created by teams of students from the Game Design 1 course. High school students from throughout the region attended the event to get a close-up look at the campus and what the

Scholarship, internship position Phoenix for impressive future

November 30, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University senior Andrew Wernersbach’s hard work and dedication to his education have resulted in an exceptional job waiting for him at Ball Aerospace after his graduation in May 2024. The coming position as an engineering associate in Boulder, Colorado, comes after Wernersbach’s strong internship performance with the company that began during the summer of 2023 and continues today.