Florida Polytechnic University has named Jack Paris as the first head coach of its women’s soccer program as the University continues building its new athletics department.
Florida Polytechnic University marked a significant milestone on Saturday, May 9, celebrating its largest graduating class to date as more than 430 students crossed the stage at the University’s 2026 commencement.
Andrew McDonnell ’26 never stopped dreaming about the stars. As a child, he looked up at the sky, wondering what was out there, and that curiosity followed him to Florida Poly, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, and worked on a lunar mobility senior capstone project. He graduates on May 9.
Florida Polytechnic University has reached on-campus housing capacity for the upcoming academic year, reflecting continued strong demand and record student interest.
Florida Polytechnic University inducted 12 students into its highly selective Presidential Ambassadors program, where they will serve as official student representatives at key University events and engage with campus and community leaders.
Samantha Bentley ’26 didn’t always feel ready to step into leadership or research roles during her time as a computer science student at Florida Polytechnic University, but discovered she grew the most by doing it anyway. She will receive her bachelor’s degree on Saturday, May 9.
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
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 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 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.
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
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
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
Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked the No. 1 most affordable cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program in the country for 2024.
In an unusual twist of fate, Officer Abby Payne has come full circle, returning to Florida Polytechnic University, not as a student, but as a member of the University Police Department. Payne was part of Florida Poly’s inaugural class, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. “It’s bittersweet coming back to where I started,” she said. “It’s a wild ride being
Phelippe Souza-Herod ’21 is rocketing toward his professional goals as a software engineer at Microsoft in Atlanta, Georgia. The computer engineering graduate has found success in the dynamic world of technology, working with Microsoft’s Azure division.
The Makerspace at Florida Polytechnic University is giving students a creative haven to independently work on personal or classroom projects. The informal lab opened during the fall 2023 semester and is overseen by the University’s library. It is equipped with a diverse array of tools and equipment, including ordinary implements like wrenches and hammers, as well as specialized equipment such
Each year brings new accomplishments and good news for Florida Polytechnic University and 2023 was no different. The University earned stellar national rankings, received generous donations, and got to work on several new buildings around campus.
Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.
