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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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Florida Poly president selected to prominent list of top influential leaders

October 27, 2022

For the fourth consecutive year, Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been recognized as one of Florida’s most influential leaders by Florida Trend magazine. The publication’s annual Florida 500 list features the state’s top leaders and executives across major industries. “It is an honor to be included in the Florida 500 list among so many remarkable

IFF and Florida Poly celebrate construction of state-of-the-art Global Citrus Innovation Center

October 25, 2022

Today in a ceremonial presentation, IFF and Florida Polytechnic University laid the foundation for the nearly 30,000-square-foot Citrus Innovation Center, located on the University’s campus in Lakeland, Florida.

Avent appointed to Orlando Economic Partnership board

October 20, 2022

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, recently was appointed to the board of Orlando Economic Partnership. The board works to unify community strategies to build a stronger, more prosperous economy for the Central Florida region. The partnership is a public-private, not-for-profit economic and community development organization. In addition to Avent, its board includes members from organizations like

Transfer students reach for personal success at Florida Poly

October 19, 2022

Gabriel Pinson’s fascination with energy has taken him from a student at Pasco-Hernando State College to an oil and gas employee in Wyoming to his current role as a mechanical engineering student at Florida Polytechnic University. Pinson, now a junior, said Florida Poly is offering him the best education to launch him into a career in energy or defense. He

Florida Poly Foundation Board adds members with industry, University insight

October 18, 2022

The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation’s Board of Directors has welcomed the appointment of four members with expertise in engineering, information technology, law, and the University itself. The University’s Board of Trustees recently approved the appointments of Kristen Lowers, chief information officer at Saddle Creek Logistics Services, and Florida Poly student Madison Yonash to the Board. Dr. Muhammad Rashid, professor of

Students and employers connect at Fall Career and Internship Fair

October 14, 2022

Companies from all over the state looking for high-skilled interns and employees descended on Florida Polytechnic University’s new Applied Research Center on Thursday, Oct. 13, for the annual Fall Career and Internship Fair. About 65 employers participated in the event, hoping to win the attention of highly qualified and enthusiastic students. Some of the companies included the Walt Disney Company,

Esteemed attorney named new Florida Poly VP and general counsel

October 11, 2022

Longtime attorney and higher education leader David Fugett has been named vice president and general counsel at Florida Polytechnic University. Fugett joins Florida Poly with more than 25 years of experience in law and a distinguished record of serving his community. Fugett joins the University after serving four years as general counsel and prelaw advisor at New College of Florida.

Compassion, purpose fuel campus worker’s calling to help

October 10, 2022

As a maintenance technician, Jorge Velazquez is proud of his hard work helping to keep the Florida Polytechnic University campus running smoothly. But it’s his volunteer work during evenings and weekends to help an impoverished community in Honduras that inspires and motivates him to keep pushing forward. This time is spent collecting and selling scrap metal, repairing discarded items to

Alumna building impressive career with EA

October 4, 2022

Just three years out of college, one Florida Polytechnic University alum is thriving in an exciting career with international video game powerhouse Electronic Arts (EA).

Public safety officer keeps a watchful, helpful eye on campus

September 22, 2022

John Lane always has a smile, directions, or a quick golf cart ride ready to help students, employees, and visitors to the Florida Polytechnic University campus in Lakeland, Florida. He also has specialized gear that helps him rid busy sections of campus of the occasional unwanted visitor, like alligators, snakes, and other wildlife. “I love this job so much. I

Phoenix Family Day welcomes students’ loved ones to get to know Florida Poly

September 21, 2022

Families of Florida Polytechnic University students will join their Phoenixes on campus for a day of exploration, bonding, and fun during the annual Phoenix Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 24. The beloved campus tradition offers parents, siblings, and other loved ones a window into students’ lives on campus and the many resources available to them. They also enjoy fun activities,

Florida Poly offers powerful coding credential to freshmen from day one

September 19, 2022

Select freshmen at Florida Polytechnic University can start learning valuable coding and programming skills from their first day of enrollment, thanks to a unique program designed to prepare them early for high-skill, high-wage internships and then careers in the tech industry. The Coding for Data Analytics Certificate is an 18-credit program that begins after their high school graduation. The program