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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 Fulbright program spurs academic, professional successes

March 7, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University began building relationships with nations around the world through the international Fulbright program when it opened its doors 10 years ago. Since then, its Fulbright involvement has not only grown, but delivered professional and academic successes for the foreign students and scholars working at the Lakeland university, and for the Florida Poly students traveling elsewhere for their

Capstone team gamifies child respiratory care with underwater exploration game

February 23, 2024

A group of seniors at Florida Polytechnic University is working to help improve the respiratory health of pediatric patients by making the use of a basic medical device more fun and engaging. The project is sponsored by Lakeland Regional Health. When recovering from illness or surgery, patients can be asked to blow into an incentive spirometer to exercise their lungs.

Florida Poly Foundation Board welcomes tech expert, father of alum

February 20, 2024

Anthony Adams, a serial entrepreneur and tech executive with decades of experience in STEM-related fields, is the newest member of the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors. The University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Adams’ appointment, making him the first member who is also the parent of a Florida Poly alum. His son, Austin Adams ’22, was a Presidential

Students find big opportunities at annual spring career fair

February 16, 2024

More than 600 of Florida Polytechnic University students donned their most professional attire, printed out their resumes, and headed to the Barnett Applied Research Center this week in hopes of finding a job or internship with some of Florida’s leading employers. “I’m looking at where I can get my foot in the door and doing a lot of networking,” said

Florida Poly celebrates 3rd student residential building with ‘topping out’ ceremony

February 13, 2024

Construction of Florida Polytechnic University’s third student residential building reached a significant milestone this week. The University held a “topping out” ceremony at the construction site on Tuesday, Feb. 13, to celebrate, with attendees signing the final steel beam of the structure before workers fastened it into place at the top of Residence Hall III. The next phase of the

NSBE chapter empowers Black students in STEM

February 9, 2024

When mechanical engineering major Arianna Pierre arrived at Florida Polytechnic University, she was eager to build connections with her peers and find a circle of friends that reflected her own experience. Now president of the campus’ chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Pierre has not only found a motivated, STEM-minded community of Black students, but she’s also

Florida Poly student excels at prestigious quantitative finance program

February 6, 2024

Andrew Sheha, an electrical engineering major at Florida Polytechnic University, recently completed the training program of a lifetime. The sophomore traveled to New York City as one of a handful of select participants for the highly competitive Jane Street IN FOCUS Program. The immersive one-week experience, which is designed to train and cultivate talent in quantitative finance, took place on

Florida Poly boosts graduate opportunities with higher stipends, program enhancements

February 1, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University students who have their sights set on a graduate degree now have a head start on the competition thanks to recent changes made to the University’s graduate program. The updated program increases the graduate assistantship stipend amount for thesis-track students from $2,400 to $4,000 per semester. “With this change, our graduate programs now offer some of the

Florida Poly ranks #1 in state for grads with lowest student debt

January 31, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University graduates begin their careers or graduate studies with the least amount of debt of any university in the state, according to a recent analysis comparing the average debt of college students across Florida. Florida Poly ranked No. 1 on the list of lowest student debt with an average of $14,250. According to the report by the Palm

Humans vs. Zombies Nerf battle brings action-packed fun to campus

January 26, 2024

More than 100 Florida Polytechnic University students have spent their week planning attacks, creating alliances, and defending themselves from a relentless horde of “zombies” making their way across the Lakeland campus. “This is the jumpiest week of the year for me,” said Richard Woody, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. “I take the long way to class simply because it’s

Student video game developers take 1st and 2nd place at statewide game jam

January 24, 2024

Two teams of Florida Polytechnic University students showcased their exceptional video game creation skills and swept the first- and second-place awards at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) two-day Collegiate Game Jam, which ended in Orlando on Sunday, Jan. 14. The video game competition tasked 17 teams of undergraduate students from across the state to build a fully playable video

Capstone team paves way for road development on the moon

January 22, 2024

A team of senior capstone students at Florida Polytechnic University is taking on the challenge of developing an innovative autonomous navigation system for a marsupial rover. The project is intended to contribute to the development of future infrastructure on the moon. The project’s goal is to assist in the development of roads on the moon or other planets, specifically focusing