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Loved ones share in the college experience at Phoenix Family Day

September 22, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University buzzed with energy on Saturday, Sept. 20, as more than 850 parents, siblings and friends joined students on campus for the annual Phoenix Family Day. Visitors explored the University, played games, tackled hands-on STEM challenges and experienced firsthand the vibrant spirit of the Florida Poly community alongside their favorite Phoenix student. Gladys Diaz, from Miramar, Florida, joined

Colombian National Team coach brings World Cup experience to Florida Poly soccer players

September 19, 2025

Legendary Colombian soccer coach Nelson Abadía brought his expertise and inspiration to Florida Polytechnic University on Thursday, Sept. 18, as he observed the men’s and women’s soccer teams in training and shared advice to strengthen their game. “It was unforgettable. Coach Abadía brought so much knowledge, and his presence alone elevated the atmosphere,” said Sebastian Anzola, captain of Florida Poly’s

Florida Poly professor’s powerful new tool brings higher accuracy to nuclear physics

September 15, 2025

Dr. Ian Bentley, chair of the Department of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, developed a new machine learning model to improve predictions of nuclear binding energies.

Students face off in epic Humans vs. Zombies Nerf battle

September 12, 2025

A “zombie infection” overtook Florida Polytechnic University during the week of Sept. 8, slowly spreading from three infected students to nearly all the players in a campuswide Humans vs. Zombies Nerf dart battle.

Expert panel explores phosphate mining and its impacts

September 10, 2025

A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.

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

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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

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