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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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Corporate Impact Network connects businesses to Florida Poly talent

May 26, 2022

Businesses that are part of Florida’s high-tech surge and want to support the emerging generation of technological leaders are connecting directly to Florida Polytechnic University’s valuable base of student and faculty knowledge through its Corporate Impact Network. The network launched in July of 2021, creating opportunities for Florida Poly’s corporate partners to provide meaningful support to areas that most closely

Florida Poly, Fulbright alum electrifies career as FCC engineer

May 23, 2022

As an electronics engineer for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Bobby Acacio ’20 is living out his professional dreams. “It’s a really cool job and a lot of people get master’s degrees or Ph.D.s first, but I was very fortunate to get this with just a bachelor’s degree,” said Acacio, who received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida

Sophomore balances entrepreneurship aspirations and life as an aerialist

May 18, 2022

When Maggie Julian gets in a twist about complex assignments in her applied mathematics major, the Florida Polytechnic University student knows the perfect way to unwind and refocus her mind. Julian, a rising sophomore from New Port Richey, Florida, is an accomplished aerialist. She has been training for six years and performs professionally. “It’s a feeling of freedom – I

Florida Poly launches two new master’s degree programs

May 17, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University is introducing two new Master of Science degrees this fall in data science and engineering management. The two leading-edge graduate programs were created in response to growing University enrollment and high industry demand. The University’s Board of Trustees approved the degrees in February and they recently were approved by the State University System’s Board of Governors for

Phoenix escorts Vietnam veteran aboard Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

May 10, 2022

Thomas Risalvato is driven to help people whenever he can. The rising senior at Florida Polytechnic University recently jumped at the opportunity to help in a unique way by serving as a guardian aboard a Flight to Honor trip to Washington, D.C. Risalvato was paired with Charles Harris, a veteran from Lake Wales, Florida, who was an Army photographer during

Q&A: Journey of curiosity and growth sets bright tech future for Ritchel Calvaire

May 5, 2022

Ritchel Calvaire ’22 receives his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering on Sunday, May 8. The achievement is one that marks four years of exploration, development, and self-realization at Florida Polytechnic University. Calvaire explored many campus opportunities to learn and grow, including leadership positions as a Presidential Ambassador, resident assistant, and orientation leader. He also was a member of Rotaract, the

The Force guides Florida Poly students inspired by the Jedi way

May 4, 2022

While members of the Force Institute may regularly train with their lightsabers on campus, their focus isn’t solely on the wildly successful Star Wars galaxy of media. The popular student organization at Florida Polytechnic University uses the science fiction juggernaut and the Jedi Knights at its center as the framework for a tight-knit group that advances student interaction, academic achievement,

Engineering students earn awards at prestigious statewide science conference

May 2, 2022

Three Florida Polytechnic University graduate students pursing master’s degrees in engineering recently took home top honors for their research at the Florida Academy of Sciences 85th Annual Meeting. All three students are on the mechanical engineering degree track. Charisma Clarke received first place for graduate engineering poster presentation, Kyle Steel received first place for graduate engineering oral presentation, and Colton

Capstone event showcases high-tech student projects

April 28, 2022

Teams of Florida Polytechnic University seniors showed off their hard work on industry-sponsored, tech-focused projects at the annual Capstone Design Showcase on Wednesday, April 27. The capstone program pairs interdisciplinary teams of students with corporate partners who have a real-world challenge they would like addressed. The students work on building high-tech solutions to these challenges throughout the academic year. This

Q&A: Grad launches engineering career with optimism, Olympic dreams

April 27, 2022

Bruce Hicks ’22 will receive his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida Polytechnic University on May 8. The student from Eustis, Florida, is an accomplished archer with his sights set on competing in the 2028 Olympics. He is captain and founder of the Florida Poly Archery Team, which opened an on-campus range in 2022. Hicks also is set to

Spring Game Expo draws hundreds to try newest student video games

April 26, 2022

Video game players went head-to-head in fun competitions at Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, April 23, at the annual Spring Game Expo. The event featured dozens of student-created video games at the University’s Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland, Florida. “I’m very proud of what we accomplished,” said Alyssa Schroeder, a senior computer science major with a concentration in

Gary C. Wendt donates $2 million for new leadership initiatives at Florida Poly

April 25, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University announced a $2 million gift from Trustee Gary C. Wendt to support the creation of new leadership initiatives for students. Wendt has been closely involved with Florida Poly since 2017, when he joined its Board of Trustees. In this role, Wendt relentlessly searches for ways Florida Poly can provide not just academic excellence, but also valuable advantages