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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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$477K grant helps Florida Poly advance cybersecurity education

September 29, 2023

Cybersecurity education at Florida Polytechnic University received a structural and financial boost this year, setting a pathway for producing even more highly skilled professionals in the field. A $477,000 grant from a joint endeavor of the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida) helped enhance and promote both the cybersecurity engineering undergraduate degree, which focuses

Duke Energy receives Florida Poly’s 1st Employer Engagement Award

September 28, 2023

Duke Energy Corporation was recognized for its steadfast partnership with Florida Polytechnic University at the institution’s annual state of the University address during Phoenix Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 23. The company received the inaugural Employer Engagement Award, which recognizes industry partners who support the rigorous all-STEM education Florida Poly students receive. Allison Pirpich, Florida Poly’s director of career services

Barnett family’s transformational gift names Florida Poly’s state-of-the-art research center

September 27, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University announced a new name for its state-of-the-art research building: the Barnett Applied Research Center. The name honors the Barnett family and its longstanding support and generosity for the University. The Florida Poly Board of Trustees approved the naming during its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27. According to the board’s agenda materials, the request honors and recognizes the

Florida Poly celebrates family, success at 2023 Phoenix Family Day

September 23, 2023

Campus tours, carnival games, and a state of the University address welcomed hundreds of students and their loved ones to the 2023 Phoenix Family Day at Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, Sept. 23. “I think this event is definitely a great thing,” said Oscar Galdona, who traveled from Gibsonton, Florida, to see his son, Nico Galdona. “It integrates the parents

National workshop at Florida Poly unveils advances on rare earth element extraction

September 22, 2023

Research scientists and industry leaders from across the country converged at Florida Polytechnic University to learn about research in the area of rare earth element (REE) extraction at the CMI 2023 Phosphate Workshop. The Florida Poly-hosted event, which took place at the Applied Research Center on campus, focused on progress in extracting REEs from phosphoric Acid Sludge, or the byproduct

Florida Poly ranks as Top 20 public engineering program nationwide

September 18, 2023

U.S. News and World Report ranked Florida Polytechnic University a top 20-public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the nation, as part of its 2023-2024 Best Colleges list released today. The University was also ranked the No. 1 public college in the Southeast Region for the third consecutive year. Here’s a full list of Florida Poly’s U.S. News rankings: Top

Florida Poly esports growing, making its mark nationally

September 12, 2023

Esports at Florida Polytechnic University has achieved a remarkable level of success and recognition as it continues to make waves in the world of competitive gaming. With teams competing in several popular games, the University’s esports program has quietly attracted a dedicated campus following and surging national prominence. Most recently, Florida Poly’s Valorant team captured the National Esports Collegiate Conference

Florida Poly Board of Trustees announces presidential search committee

September 7, 2023

The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees announced the selection of the 15-member presidential search committee that will work to find the institution’s second president. Dr. Randy K. Avent announced last month that he will be stepping down as Florida Poly’s founding president at the end of the current academic year, after a decade of great success. He said he

SGA president sets ambitious goals for second term

September 5, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University senior Melia Rodriguez is spending her second term as Student Government Association (SGA) president laying the groundwork for the organization’s efficient and sustainable future. She said she is focusing on optimizing resources and SGA’s operations. As part of this effort, the organization recently transferred oversight of Florida Poly’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) and registered student organizations (RSO)

Florida Poly and TalTech advance AV research through successful partnership

August 31, 2023

Four years after announcing an innovative partnership on autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, Florida Polytechnic University and Tallin University of Technology (TalTech) in Estonia have taken their cutting-edge research to the next level. The collaboration has produced significant results, enabling the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise between the two institutions and beyond. The partnership integrates Florida Poly’s know-how in AV

Florida Poly kicks off 10th academic year with exceptional freshmen, exciting growth

August 22, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed students back to campus on Tuesday, Aug. 22, launching the 10th academic year in the all-STEM institution’s history. University officials said they anticipate the 2023-2024 academic year will be as successful as the previous nine years, which have included important accreditations, national recognitions, impressive grants, and growing support. “Watching the achievements of our campus community and

Incoming Florida Polytechnic University freshmen attend the University’s first convocation ceremony

August 20, 2023

Nearly 300 incoming freshmen began exploring their new home at Florida Polytechnic University over the weekend. They moved in, made important friendships, and embarked on an educational journey toward STEM and career success. The students’ formal welcome to the University began with Florida Poly’s inaugural convocation ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 20. University leadership gathered in their academic regalia and addressed