
Student clubs spark competition at first Engineering Olympics
Nearly 100 Florida Polytechnic University students put their engineering skills to the test at the University’s first-ever Engineering Olympics on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Nearly 100 Florida Polytechnic University students put their engineering skills to the test at the University’s first-ever Engineering Olympics on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Just two years after graduating from Florida Polytechnic University, Melia Rodriguez ’24 is putting her skills to work on technology used by one of the world’s leading providers of real estate data and analytics. As a software engineer at CoStar Group in Richmond, Virginia, she develops tools that help support critical business operations and the company’s expansion into new international markets.

When Colby Manrodt ’26 stepped up to become president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at Florida Polytechnic University in the fall of 2025, he prioritized strengthening students’ sense of community and restructuring the organization. Now in his second term, the now graduate student aims to take those goals even further.

The Detroit Tigers and Florida Polytechnic University are launching a new partnership that brings together data science, academic research and professional sports to tackle real-world challenges in player health and performance.

Florida Polytechnic University’s data science and computer science programs are earning top recognition in newly released rankings from Research.com, including No. 1 spots among Florida’s public universities and a top 20 national ranking for the University’s undergraduate data science degree.

More than a dozen students, scholars and faculty from around the world are expanding their research and academic experiences through a growing range of international exchange programs at Florida Polytechnic University this semester.

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.

More than $2 million was raised to support Florida Polytechnic University scholarships, academic departments, and student organizations during the University’s inaugural Giving Day on Monday, March 14. Florida Poly Giving Day 2022 is a 24-hour online fundraising effort to raise money in support of academics, scholarships, student organizations, and more. A total of $2.05 million from 146 donors was raised











