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NBA champion to lead Florida Poly Men’s Basketball

June 16, 2026

LAKELAND, Fla. – Few coaches can match a resume that includes winning an NBA championship alongside Michael Jordan and leading a college program to sustained success on the national stage. Dennis Hopson has done both. Now, Florida Polytechnic University has named the NBA champion and longtime coach as the inaugural head coach of its Men’s Basketball program, adding a leader whose career spans the highest levels of the sport as the University continues building Florida Poly Athletics. Hopson brings decades

Student research drives progress toward next-generation silicon chips

June 10, 2026

David Zambrano ’26 is on the pioneering edge of a field that could one day replace modern electronics. Zambrano, who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Florida Polytechnic University in May, is advancing research in silicon photonics – a technology that uses light instead of electricity to transmit and process data. He is returning to the University this fall to continue his work as a master’s student in electrical engineering. Zambrano has presented his work at the SPIE Photonics

Florida Poly steps up to the plate with first baseball coach

June 9, 2026

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has named TJ Marik as the inaugural head coach of its baseball program. The addition brings another instrumental leader to campus as the University continues to establish the Florida Poly Athletics program. Marik brings substantial head coaching experience and a strong background in player development to the new role. Before joining Florida Poly, he served as head coach at Siena Heights University following a successful tenure at Missouri Valley College, where his teams earned all-conference

Austin Lubetkin '19 is a software engineer at Northrup Grumman and an accomplished digital artist. His Florida Poly degree is in computer science.

Art and engineering drive Florida Poly alum’s success

June 5, 2026

Austin Lubetkin ’19 has built a career at the intersection of technology and creativity, balancing software engineering at Northrop Grumman with a passion for visual art. Now, the Florida Poly alumnus is bringing those worlds together in “Memories of Water,” an exhibit at the Orlando Science Center.

Clay Roberts is Florida Poly's first men's soccer head coach.

Florida Poly scores veteran coach for men’s soccer

June 3, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University has named Clay Roberts the first head coach of its men’s soccer program, adding an experienced team builder as the University continues launching its new athletics department.

Florida Poly leaders and Presidential Ambassadors at the Florida State Capitol.

New state investment fuels Florida Poly’s continued momentum and growth

May 29, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University is poised to continue its strong trajectory of growth following the Florida Legislature’s approval of $19 million in the state’s 2026-2027 budget to support student success initiatives, infrastructure growth and strategic enrollment expansion.

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The face behind the Phoenix – meet Florida Poly’s first mascot

May 8, 2023

When Solaris, Florida Polytechnic University’s life-size Phoenix mascot, was unveiled in the fall of 2020, one of the biggest questions on campus was who was the lucky student who got to wear the vibrant purple suit? Solaris, who gained its name in the spring of 2023, soon started popping up at University events across campus and in the region. Its

Florida Poly celebrates STEM grads at 2023 commencement

May 7, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University celebrated the graduation of more than 200 bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates on Sunday, May 7, at its 2023 commencement ceremony. The event was held at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. “It’s all happening very fast – I’m nervous but I’m also excited,” said Gabriel Sladecek, who received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. “I’m

US News: Florida remains nation’s #1 for higher education

May 3, 2023

U.S. News & World Report has once again named Florida the top state in the country for higher education. Florida’s higher education system has held the top spot since the inception of the rankings in 2017. Florida Polytechnic University is one of 12 public institutions within the State University System. “It is exciting to see how the hard work of

Q&A: Computer science grad to fulfill beloved promise at graduation

May 3, 2023

Mykell Spencer ’23 was a collector of friends and experiences during his four years at Florida Polytechnic University. He will receive his bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration in game development and simulation on May 7. During his time at Florida Poly, he was involved in many campus activities, including serving as chief justice of the Student Government

Florida Poly celebrates Order of the Engineer inductees

May 1, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University inducted 72 graduates and alumni into the Order of the Engineer, an association for graduate and professional engineers and an important annual tradition created to foster a sense of pride and responsibility in those entering an engineering career. The University celebrated two induction ceremonies this year, one for 38 new graduates on April 26 and a second

Q&A: Business analytics grad ready to launch into high-tech career

April 28, 2023

Adriana Pinto ’23 will receive her bachelor’s degree in business analytics with a concentration in intelligent mobility on Sunday, May 7. The student from Irvine, California, worked as an admissions ambassador during her time at Florida Poly. She is excited to put her education to work after graduation as a technology consultant for global consulting firm Protiviti in New York

Florida Poly researchers’ work lays foundation for expanded high-speed internet access

April 27, 2023

Work by an interdisciplinary team of Florida Polytechnic University researchers helped Polk County, Florida, officials apply for two grants totaling more than $41.5 million to close the gap in broadband connectivity.

High-tech industry-sponsored projects featured at 2023 Capstone Showcase

April 26, 2023

Twenty-nine teams of Florida Polytechnic University students displayed their completed industry-sponsored, leading-edge projects at the fifth annual Capstone Design Showcase on Wednesday, April. 26. The capstone program tasks multidisciplinary teams of students to work together to complete a real-world challenge presented by a project sponsor. The students work throughout the academic year to develop solutions for these challenges. Among this

Spring Game Expo draws crowds to see latest student-created video games

April 24, 2023

Networked student-created video games took center stage at the annual Spring Game Expo at Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, April 22. Prospective students and their families arrived on campus to check out the games, learn about the computer science major and career paths, and explore campus in an accompanying open house event. “The Game Expo provides students with a first-hand

Florida Poly junior shines at national powerlifting championship

April 21, 2023

Madison Yonash, a junior at Florida Polytechnic University and captain of the women’s powerlifting team, competed at the 2023 USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals in Arlington, Texas, on April 14. She placed 20th in her 60-kilo weight class. “It was insane,” said Yonash, who is majoring in business analytics. “My weight class had over 70 lifters in it competing at nationals.

2023 Ablaze awards recognize exceptional Florida Poly employees

April 19, 2023

Standout Florida Polytechnic University employees were recognized for their outstanding efforts on Wednesday, April 19, at the University’s sixth annual Ablaze awards ceremony. “We’ve accomplished so much in the last year, and that is due in very large part to each one of you,” Dr. Randy K. Avent, Florida Poly’s president, said to the audience of employees at the City

Q&A: Master’s grad reflects on making his mark at Florida Poly

April 18, 2023

Jake Greenberg ’22, ’23 is thrilled to walk across the stage and receive his master’s degree in engineering management at Florida Polytechnic University just one year after earning his bachelor’s degree in data science with a concentration in big data analytics at the University. During his time as a student, Greenberg was chair and vice chair of Florida PolyCon, treasurer