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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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Virtual Student Union brings campus life to students’ homes

April 13, 2020

Completing coursework remotely due to COVID-19 concerns doesn’t mean that Florida Polytechnic University students are disconnected from campus. The University has worked to transition many of the vibrant on-campus resources and events to a digital space, culminating with the recent launch of the Virtual Student Union on the University’s website and in the Florida Poly Mobile app. “This digital hub

Temporary university grading policy FAQ and additional academic information

April 10, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Dear students, I hope this finds you healthy and having settled in as best as you are able to focus now on those fast-approaching final exams. There are several items in today’s update: Withdrawal date extension: The regular

Virtual Student Union

April 9, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Students, I’m happy to introduce the Florida Poly Virtual Student Union, a digital hub for students that is designed to make remote learning and campus engagement – from wherever you are – a little bit easier. Need-to-know resources,

Updates for Florida Poly students

April 8, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Dear Students, I hope everyone is staying well and adjusting to your new remote environments. Working and learning remotely is a big adjustment that we’ve all had to make. I’m pleased to hear about and see many situations

Updates for Florida Poly employees

April 8, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. All, The work everyone has been doing to keep our University running smoothly and educating our students is nothing short of inspiring. With remote work, remote instruction and limited on-campus staff, we are doing our part to minimize

Florida Poly works to protect healthcare workers amid COVID-19 crisis

April 8, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – A team of Florida Polytechnic University faculty, staff, and students is working to build critical personal protection equipment for clinicians treating patients amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. The effort is in partnership with AdventHealth and will help address the shortage of protective supplies facing healthcare organizations nationwide. The group is using 3D printers on campus to create

Employee Assistance Program update from Human Resources

April 7, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Florida Poly community, The Office of Human Resources would like to remind everyone that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an available resource for all employees (faculty, staff, OPS, student employees) and their families. When you need professional,

Florida Poly SGA emergency fund helps struggling students amid COVID-19

April 6, 2020

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has added stress and unexpected expenses to many students’ lives. The Florida Polytechnic University Student Government Association (SGA) has created Phund-a-Phoenix, an emergency fund to help students during this time of uncertainty and financial burden. “We understand that this is a very hard time for students and their families, and we wanted to find a way

Statewide stay-at-home order issued by governor

April 1, 2020

All, By now you have likely heard that Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a stay-at-home order for the State of Florida beginning Friday, April 3, at 12:01 a.m. You may be wondering what that means for you and for Florida Poly. Fortunately, many of the remote instruction and teleworking practices we have already put in place have us in compliance

Update regarding housing refunds, rebates, and credits

March 29, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Dear Students, Florida Poly’s highest priority is the health and safety of our community. As the COVID-19 crisis rapidly evolves, and in accordance with guidance from local, state, and federal officials, we have important and timely new instructions

Temporary grading policy in response to COVID-19 crisis

March 27, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Updated April 8: The information below about writing-intensive courses has been updated to reflect that these courses are eligible for S/U grades at Florida Poly because an “S” at Florida Poly is equivalent to a “C” or

Additional safety precautions for on-campus residents

March 26, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. As safety precautions are put in place for the coronavirus, we have all been looking at Florida Poly as a safe haven. We have been monitoring the conditions related to the coronavirus and there has been a