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A group of students in front of the IST on the first day of the 2026-27 academic year, which saw record enrollment.

Record enrollment propels Florida Poly into new era of growth

August 17, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University soared into the 2026-27 academic year on Monday, Aug. 17, welcoming a record enrollment of 2,342 students. The milestone represents a remarkable 35% increase in total student enrollment over the last two years, up from over 1,900 students in 2025 and more than 1,700 in 2024, further solidifying Florida Poly’s reputation as a premier destination for high-demand STEM education.

Aerial image of the Innovation, Science and Technology Building at Florida Poly, which was named a Collegiate Purple Star Campus for veterans services.

Florida Poly earns Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation for veteran support

August 14, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University has been designated as a Collegiate Purple Star Campus, a state-recognized honor affirming its commitment to supporting military-connected students, veterans and active-duty families.

Naibys Alzugaray, a rising senior majoring in computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, during her internship at EA in Orlando.

Florida Poly senior turns EA Madden 27 internship into software engineering career

August 14, 2026

For Naibys Alzugaray, landing an internship at Electronic Arts (EA) in Orlando, Florida, was the realization of a dream that started in high school. But by the end of the summer, that dream became a permanent reality. On the final day of her internship on Aug. 7, the Florida Polytechnic University rising senior received a full-time software engineer job offer to return to EA after graduation to join the company’s Software Engineer Academy crew.

Florida Polytechnic University Men’s Soccer player Fernando Martinez during the University’s first media day.

Florida Poly’s student-athletes take center stage at inaugural media day

August 11, 2026

With the fall 2026 semester just days away, Florida Polytechnic University’s first student-athletes donned their new uniforms, laced up their cleats and stepped into the spotlight Monday, Aug. 10, for the University’s inaugural media day for the men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams as they prepare for their first season of competition.

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) and representatives from Florida Polytechnic University gather during CPHE’s inaugural site visit at the institution on Aug. 5-6.

Commission for Public Higher Education completes first accreditation site visit at Florida Polytechnic University

August 10, 2026

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a nascent institutional accreditor, today announced the successful completion of its inaugural site visit at Florida Polytechnic University on Aug. 5-6, marking a historic milestone for both organizations. The visit was the first conducted by CPHE, making Florida Poly the first institution to advance through this critical phase of the Commission’s accreditation process.

Florida Polytechnic University employees watch the live broadcast of a NASA diver performing an underwater test of the University’s student-designed tool dock as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge.

NASA tests Florida Poly student-designed tool to improve spacewalks

August 7, 2026

When astronauts venture outside the International Space Station to perform critical maintenance, it is essential for them to access and store their tools quickly and conveniently. Every tool must remain securely attached to their spacesuit while still being readily available when needed. A team of Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering students spent 10 months developing a one-handed wearable tool dock designed to make that process easier, faster and more efficient. NASA put the team’s tool to the test at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

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Florida Polytechnic University Has Outstanding Community Support!

June 13, 2013

Thank you to all the business and community leaders from around Polk County who have shown their support for Florida Poly. Last month, the city of Lakeland, Florida Poly Vision and the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce held a special reception at the Lakeland Center to welcome Ava Parker, Chief Operating Officer. Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields spoke at the reception,

Students Are Enjoying the Merit Summer Robotics Program

June 12, 2013

The Medical Engineering and Robotics Innovation for Tomorrow (Merit) Summer Robotics Program is in full swing, and the students are having a blast so far! The four-week summer program allows high school students to learn about medical imaging, radiation, pharmacotherapy, renewable energy, sterilization, and surgical robotics. Students attend lectures and learn about the latest medical surgical equipment including the DaVinci robotic

Admissions Team Set to Begin Student Recruitment Process!

June 12, 2013

Students eager to apply to Florida Poly won’t have to wait much longer, as two seasoned professionals have been hired to head up the recruitment and admissions process. Scott Rhodes has been named the new Executive Director of Admissions and Beth A. Pierpont is the Associate Director. Rhodes has more than 14 years of experience in higher education, leading marketing and enrollment efforts for

Florida Polytechnic University Names First Faculty Member

June 12, 2013

Robert I. MacCuspie, Ph.D. a research chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology has been named the first faculty member at Florida Poly. He has more than seven years of experience working in government national labs and has held research positions at the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition to his

Governor Scott Re-appoints Six Trustees

May 16, 2013

Governor Scott Re-appoints Six Trustees Six members of the Florida Poly Board of Trustees were among 42 people re-appointed to boards and commissions throughout the state by Governor Rick Scott. The trustees include: Mark R. Bostick, of Lake Wales, is the president of Comcar Industries. He is reappointed for a term beginning May 16, 2013, and ending June 30, 2015. Joseph

Faculty and Staff Recruitment Updates

May 9, 2013

Non-Tenure Faculty Model and BOG Work Plan Approved

May 7, 2013

The Board of Trustees has approved several key recommendations that will impact faculty and student recruitment. Based on the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee, the Board approved establishing a non-tenure model. Faculty will be offered fixed term, multi-year contracts that will be renewed based on performance. This is a significant decision as Florida Poly expects the first faculty member

Florida Polytechnic University Co-Hosts Robotics Camp

May 6, 2013

Florida Poly is partnering with the Robotics Institute and Center for Urology at Winter Haven Hospital and All Saints Academy to offer a four-week summer camp that gives high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with robotics. The camp begins June 3. The innovative program named MERIT (Medical Engineering and Robotics Innovation for Tomorrow) teaches the future generation,

Florida Polytechnic University Proposes Non- Tenure Model For New Faculty

May 2, 2013

As Florida Polytechnic University begins its faculty recruitment efforts, the Academic Affairs Committee has proposed that the university adopt a non-tenure model. Instead of tenure, or tenure-track, new faculty members will sign fixed term, multi-year contracts. The contract length will be for either nine or twelve months and may be renewable. “This model ensures a fair and equitable review process

New Bill Will Help Florida Polytechnic University Prepare Students for College

April 24, 2013

Florida Governor Rick Scott held a press conference in conjunction with his signing of SB 1076 which will provide middle and high school students an opportunity to obtain certifications in various STEM related fields. Florida Polytechnic University COO Ava Parker participated in the event as did state university presidents Machen (UF), Baron (FSU), Robinson (FAMU) and Bense (UWF). The bill

Dr. Santiago Calatrava Attends Topping Out Ceremony

April 19, 2013

Our new Innovation, Science and Technology Building is one step closer to completion as the steel framework is now finished! To celebrate this milestone, a crowd of more than 250 people joined us for a “Topping Out” Ceremony. Florida Poly Board of Trustees Chair Robert H. Gidel gave the welcome remarks and introduced the keynote speaker – Dr. Santiago Calatrava,

Florida Polytechnic University Names Foundation Board

April 5, 2013

A group of eleven business, community and industry leaders have been named to the charter Foundation Board of Directors at Florida Polytechnic University. Members are responsible for managing foundation assets and soliciting support through private funding and other resources, as well as encouraging and assisting in the research and training activities of faculty, staff and students. “I am confident we