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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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Thanksgiving holiday campus services and closures

November 17, 2023

With the long holiday weekend just a few days away, Florida Polytechnic University wishes the entire University community a happy Thanksgiving. Those staying on campus and those leaving to spend the holiday with friends and family should be mindful of the following changes to campus services and closures during the break. There will be no classes Wednesday, Nov. 22 through

Phoenix Racing accelerates vision for faster solar racecar

November 12, 2023

The road to victory is paved with sunshine for a determined team of Florida Polytechnic University students. Phoenix Racing is an interdisciplinary group working to design and build a solar racecar to take on vehicles built by students from many of the country’s top universities. The 30-member team built its first solar racecar last year as a proof of concept

Florida Poly vet reflects on his journey of service

November 9, 2023

Joining the military was a huge opportunity for Joshua Lewis – it was the key to achieving his personal and professional dreams. At 17 years old, Lewis, now a web developer at Florida Polytechnic University, was a high school student searching for ways to attend and play soccer in college. “Serving was always important to me, but I always figured

Autonomous vehicles take center stage at Florida Poly event

November 8, 2023

Experts agree that self-driving vehicles are inevitable and will be taking over the roads within the next 20 years, but many issues remain surrounding their technology, safety, and regulatory framework. Florida Polytechnic University’s Office of Public Policy Events brought together experts in policy, law, technology, and commercialization for a panel discussion about what is coming down the road for the

3 Florida Poly researchers among world’s top 2% of scientists

November 7, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University professors with advanced research in fields such as nanotechnology, rare earth element recovery, and electrical and computer engineering have been named to a prestigious list of the world’s top 2% of scientists. Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, Dr. Muhammad Rashid, Dr. Patrick Zhang are leaders in their respective fields and have actively published their work year after year, sharing

Distinguished professor’s $500,000 gift funds Florida Poly’s first endowed chair

November 2, 2023

From a modest upbringing to global recognition as a renowned leader in electrical and computer engineering, Florida Polytechnic University professor Dr. Muhammad Rashid is using his personal accomplishments to inspire and improve the future of education in his field. Together with his wife, Dr. Fatema Rashid, Rashid has donated $250,000 with a matching gift of $250,000 to create the Dr.

IFF and Florida Poly discuss partnership at annual Corporate Impact Summit

October 30, 2023

The future of Florida Polytechnic University and its relationship with Fortune 500 company IFF was discussed at Florida Poly’s annual Corporate Impact Summit on Thursday, Oct. 26. The event, sponsored by the University’s Corporate Impact Network, attracted dozens of students, employees, and community members to the Barnett Applied Research Center on campus to learn about how Florida Poly’s first on-campus

Florida Poly president honored as top business leader on prestigious statewide list

October 25, 2023

In his last year as Florida Polytechnic University president, Dr. Randy K. Avent was recognized once again for his exceptional leadership by statewide magazine Florida Trend. It is the fifth consecutive year Avent makes the publication’s prominent Florida 500 list, which celebrates the state’s most influential business leaders and executives across major industries. “Being selected alongside so many outstanding leaders

Polyphonics bring barbershop harmonies to Florida Poly

October 23, 2023

The unmistakable sounds of classic American barbershop music can often be found wafting across Florida Polytechnic University – echoing in the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, serenading groups at The Nest, and reverberating inside the atrium at the Barnett Applied Research Center. The silky-smooth voices behind the infectious tunes are the Polyphonics, Florida Poly’s new barbershop quartet. With four diverse

STEM (in)dustry events feature top employers offering insight to hidden career options

October 16, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University students are getting an inside look at STEM career opportunities across varied industries – including those many don’t immediately associate with engineering and applied sciences. The “STEM (in)dustry” event series was launched this fall by the University’s career services office. It was designed to both showcase the versatility of STEM degrees as well as acquaint students with

Florida Poly students shine at annual career fair featuring top STEM employers

October 6, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University junior Mackenzie Stanfield dressed to impress at the University’s annual fall career and internship fair this week, making a beeline to talk with representatives from two of the world’s most respected employers – who also stood to make her professional dreams come true. The Walt Disney Company and Universal Destinations & Experiences attended the event on Thursday,

Florida Poly advances campus growth with Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building

October 2, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University revealed on Monday the modern design and functionality of the new Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, a 40,000-square-foot academic facility that will begin construction next spring. The $15-million, two-story building will house research and development labs for a variety of engineering disciplines, staff and faculty offices, collaboration spaces, and a conference room. The facility will also feature