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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 welcomes talented cohort of global scholars, researchers

August 9, 2023

Exceptional university students and researchers from around the globe will arrive at Florida Polytechnic University during the 2023-2024 academic year to continue advancing their work and studies. The University will welcome five students and researchers as part of the United States’ Fulbright Program, as well as a Charlemagne Prize Fellow from the Netherlands. As part of the Fulbright Program, one

Florida Poly recognized as a national leader in STEM education

August 2, 2023

When it comes to filling the need for qualified STEM professionals, Florida Polytechnic University is among the nation’s best. In a recent analysis by EdSmart, a nationally recognized publisher of college resources and rankings, Florida Poly ranked No. 2 in the United States for having the most students enrolled in popular STEM programs. With high-paying jobs in rapidly growing fields

Mercedes internship puts computer science senior on the right track

July 27, 2023

A passion for computer science and implementing technological solutions has Florida Polytechnic University rising senior John Lowery feeling right at home in his second summer internship with Mercedes-Benz Vans. He is working as a business analyst intern implementing cloud technologies into the company’s everyday operation at its location in Charleston, South Carolina. “I’m learning a lot about the business aspect

Florida Poly President Randy Avent to step down after decade of growing success

July 24, 2023

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, announced today that he is stepping down from the position at the end of the 2023-24 academic year, 10 years after he began leading the all-STEM institution to remarkable accomplishments. Avent was named Florida Poly’s inaugural president in 2014, the same year the University opened its doors to welcome students for

President Avent’s Retirement Announcement

July 24, 2023

Dear Florida Poly family, It’s with enormous optimism for the future, and pride in all Florida Polytechnic University has accomplished, that I share important personal news with you today. After careful consideration and contemplation, I have decided to step down from my role as president of Florida Poly in July of 2024. Leading the University from its infancy to the

Florida Poly student makes waves in marine engineering internship

July 20, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University rising junior Abryn Peters is putting his summer days to good use with an internship at Measutronics, a nationwide provider of positioning, guidance, and underwater imaging solutions for marine construction and dredging. “I’m one of their main R&D (research and development) people,” said Peters, who is working at the company’s Lakeland, Florida location. “I’m using the computer

New chair to shape future of engineering physics at Florida Poly

July 18, 2023

LAKELAND, Fla. – As the new chair of Florida Polytechnic University’s Engineering Physics Department, Dr. Ian Bentley said he plans to redesign the physics curriculum and work with his department to take the first-year physics program to a new level. Bentley most recently was director of the Dual Degree Engineering Program at SaintMary’s College, and an adjunct associate professor at

Alum works on autonomous vehicle technology at NVIDIA

July 13, 2023

Mihir Lad ’22 is living out his dream of working on autonomous vehicle (AV) technology as a part of the fleet engineering team at NVIDIA, a leader in AI and accelerated computing, based in Santa Clara, California. In his role with the company, Lad is on the team working to develop the AV software used in highly automated and self-driving

Accreditation Team Invites Public Comments About Florida Polytechnic University Police Department

July 12, 2023

LAKELAND, Fla. – A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive Tuesday, Aug. 15 at Florida Polytechnic University to examine all aspects of the University’s Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Florida Polytechnic University Police Department (FPPD must comply with numerous standards to receive accredited status. Many of the

Tech, defense business leaders join Florida Poly Foundation Board

July 11, 2023

Johnnie Curls, Jr., owner and CEO of Barney’s Pumps, and Alen Tomczak, a national director for digital intelligence company Cellebrite, have been named to the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation’s mission is to “partner with Florida Poly to engage the community, inspire investment, and steward resources to build a world-class university.” The two business leaders bring

Florida Poly student learns the ropes of road resurfacing at FDOT internship

July 3, 2023

An encounter at Florida Polytechnic University’s Career and Internship Fair drove Catarina Andrade to a summer internship that sees her working with engineering-related departments at the Florida Department of Transportation. The mechanical engineering major is a pavement evaluation intern and primarily works with the group of professionals responsible for road resurfacing at the agency’s offices in Bartow, Florida. Other technical

Electrical engineering major drives automation, high-tech innovation at national lab internship

June 22, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University rising sophomore Josh Alletto’s knowledge, confidence, and high-tech skills earned him a summer internship that he’s sure will change his life. Alletto, an electrical engineering major, is spending his summer working at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois. The laboratory is a federally funded research and development center owned by the U.S. Department of Energy. The opportunity