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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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Florida Poly scholars program receives $1.5 million gift

May 12, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – A scholarship program, supporting talented students in achieving their technology-fueled goals at Florida Polytechnic University, received a significant boost from the family of one of the school’s first and biggest advocates. The John R. Alexander Scholars Program honors the legacy of one of the University’s most ardent and earliest supporters. Alexander passed away in 2018. “John was

High-tech education drives Haitian student’s dreams for his homeland

May 11, 2021

The computer engineering degree sophomore Widler Noel is pursuing at Florida Polytechnic University is a world away from the computer education he received as a young student in Haiti. “We had computer class, but we had no computers. It was all theory,” said Noel, an international student from Ouanaminthe, Haiti. “When I moved here, it was different. I had to

New class of Presidential Ambassadors prepared to lead

May 6, 2021

Dedicated, motivated students with a passion for supporting their University are ready to take on the job of advancing the success of Florida Polytechnic University as the 2021-2022 cohort of Presidential Ambassadors. The new group includes six returning students and eight new ambassadors. Students selected to the group must apply to the program and complete an extensive interview process. The

Engineering alumna puts skills to work in ARC construction

May 5, 2021

As a project engineer with Albireo Energy, Mehgan O’Connor ’18 is getting to make her mark on Florida Polytechnic University in a way that is unrivaled by the rest of her graduating class. O’Connor is playing a major role as a controls engineer in the construction of the sleek, new Applied Research Center (ARC) on campus. “I did the controls

Florida Poly celebrates classes of ’20 and ’21 commencement

May 2, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University celebrated the graduation of its classes of 2020 and 2021 on Sunday, May 2, at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The long-awaited in-person commencement ceremony marked the culmination of four years of hard work for more than 325 graduates who earned high-demand STEM degrees. “This really means a lot to me,” said Daniel

Q&A: Grit, perseverance speed Jace Cooper to 3-year degree achievement

April 30, 2021

Jace Cooper ’21 set his sights on an early college degree while he was still a student at Palmetto High School in Palmetto, Florida. With discipline, determination, and hard work, Cooper racked up college credits while still in high school and pressed forward with the same enthusiasm toward his mechanical engineering degree from Florida Polytechnic University, earning the bachelor’s degree

IEEE-HKN students get their hands dirty to beautify Lakeland

April 29, 2021

Just off Interstate 4 near the Florida Polytechnic University campus, a group of students is working to ensure a long stretch of road remains clean and reflects the University’s commitment to the community. The Mu Omega Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) academic honor society at Florida Poly has joined the Florida Department

Industry projects impress at Florida Poly’s largest Capstone Showcase

April 28, 2021

Dozens of Florida Polytechnic University seniors presented their impressive, high-tech projects at the annual Capstone Design Showcase on Friday, April 23. With more than 40 projects on display, the event was the largest in the University’s history. Interdisciplinary teams of students worked throughout the academic year to solve real-world challenges faced by industry partners of all sizes. Project sponsors included companies such

Florida Poly meets industry demands with state’s first bachelor’s in cybersecurity engineering

April 27, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University will offer the state’s first bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity engineering beginning in the fall 2021 semester. The degree was recently approved by the State University System’s Board of Governors. The need for professionals in the cybersecurity field in the state is critical. CyberSeek, an online resource that tracks supply and demand in the cybersecurity

Q&A: Isabela Rangel ready to take on the future of AI

April 26, 2021

When Isabela Rangel ’21 receives her bachelor’s degree in computer science this May, she will be ready to charge toward the next chapter of her life, pursuing a career in project management. The graduate of West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida, has been active on campus during her time at Florida Polytechnic University participating in organizations such as

Spring Game Expo brings Florida Poly projects to gamers around the world

April 23, 2021

Innovative, student-designed video games were showcased to the world on April 23 at the semi-annual student Game Expo at Florida Polytechnic University. For the first time, the expo featured a server that allowed viewers across the internet to log in and play networked student games with one another. “It’s always been a dream to have world-facing games,” said Dr. Bradford Towle, chair

Q&A: Dynamic student life primes Phelippe Souza-Herod for career success

April 22, 2021

Beginning his freshman year, Phelippe Souza-Herod ’21 networked across campus, expanding his skills inside and outside the classroom. The Sarasota Military Academy graduate followed his passion for math and engaged with his professors as mentors. He also invested himself in clubs, programs, and organizations that helped him learn from others and become a better communicator and leader. The computer engineering