Every online Amazon order triggers a complex, behind-the-scenes system, speeding the product to its recipient as quickly and efficiently as possible. This summer, Florida Polytechnic University senior Megan Demeritt is getting an inside look at those operations while helping make them even better as an area manager intern with the e-commerce giant.
Florida Polytechnic University’s Phoenix Racing team is preparing for its first 1,500-mile cross-country solar race, the centerpiece of two national competitions in Minnesota this month. The team will compete in the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix and the Electrek American Solar Challenge, a grueling endurance race from the Twin Cities to Texas.
Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $19 million for Florida Polytechnic University in the state’s 2026-2027 budget on Monday, June 29, fueling the University’s continued growth and expansion as Florida’s only public STEM university.
Florida Polytechnic University had the largest one-year performance gain among all state universities in the Florida Board of Governors’ 2025-26 Performance-Based Funding Model, earning a score of 87 out of 100 and securing nearly $11 million in performance funding.
Florida Polytechnic University graduates earn the highest salaries among alumni from Florida’s public universities five years after graduation, according to a recent analysis by the Tampa Bay Business Journal based on new Florida Department of Education data.
The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors has new leadership, five new members, and five reappointed community leaders. The Florida Poly Board of Trustees approved the appointments on May 22.
Outstanding faculty and staff members at Florida Polytechnic University were recognized on Wednesday, April 13, during the University’s fifth annual Ablaze awards ceremony. The event shines a spotlight on the dedication, work, and successes of faculty and staff members and their many contributions to Florida Poly. It was the first time the event was held in person since 2019. The
When Javier Lozada ’22 receives his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering with a concentration in embedded systems design from Florida Polytechnic University on May 8, the talented student will be ready to step into a job as a software engineer at L3 Harris Technologies. While at Florida Poly, the native of Pembroke Pines, Florida, maximized the opportunities available to him,
Students who head to the Student Development Center (SDC) for a workout are likely to encounter Natasha Gattas’ smiling face welcoming them. The Florida Polytechnic University freshman is among the 27 student employees who help keep the fitness center running and its patrons happy. “I work at the front desk at the SDC, greeting people and introducing them to the
Dr. Doga Demirel, assistant chair of Florida Polytechnic University’s Computer Science Department, is creating a leading-edge virtual reality tool to help doctors learn critical medical procedures commonly performed in emergency rooms, during surgery, and in other medical scenarios. VORTeX – the Virtual Operating Room Team Experience – is a virtual reality surgical simulator to assist in physician education and training.
When Hailey Skoglund ’22 arrived at Florida Polytechnic University, she made the decision to embrace everything the University had to offer. She became chief justice of the Student Government Association, a Presidential Ambassador, a tutor, and is a student representative on the Florida Poly Foundation Board. Skoglund also is a full-time intern at the Walt Disney Company as she completes
Just weeks before his graduation with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Florida Polytechnic University student Bruce Hicks is excited to see his vision for a campus archery range come to fruition. Hicks, a nationally ranked archer training for the 2024 Summer Olympics, is founder and captain of the Florida Poly archery team, which trains to compete at the local,
Dr. Allen Bottorff has joined Florida Polytechnic University as the new vice president of administration and finance. “I’m feeling super excited; it’s an incredible opportunity,” Bottorff said. “I’ve been watching the University’s development and seen its growth. It’s rare to be able to step into a leadership role so early in an institution’s development.” Bottorff most recently worked at Polk
Developing error-resilient and highly energy efficient computing platforms for ultra-low power applications will be the focus of a new research at Florida Polytechnic University funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Ashiq Sakib, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, secured the $175,000 grant that could change the landscape of self-powered electronic devices operating on very
Florida Polytechnic University graduates earn an average salary of $57,900 one year after graduation, the highest among all state universities, according to the State University System of Florida’s MyFloridaFuture educational research and comparison tool.
For Florida Polytechnic University junior Pressley Hendrix, volunteering and helping has always been second nature. “I grew up volunteering and it always has been part of my life,” said Hendrix, a business analytics major and former Eagle Scout. “Now I try to bring that out in others.” Hendrix again stepped into this familiar role recently when he volunteered to be
Combat and VEX U robotics teams representing Florida Polytechnic University have kicked off the spring competition season with strong showings against their opponents. Two teams from Florida Poly’s Purple Fire Robotics tested their combat robots, Insomnia and Katrina, at the State Fair Frenzy combat competition at the Florida State Fair in Tampa on Feb. 19. Insomnia, a one-pound robot with
Florida Polytechnic University’s unique daylong celebration of comics, anime, videogames, movies, and all things geek returns to Lakeland, Florida on Saturday, March 19.
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.
