News

Latest News

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

All Stories

Engineering alum excels in leadership role with global tech company

March 4, 2021

In the three years since Christopher Krenek ’18 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Florida Polytechnic University, he has become an accomplished process engineer and manages a team of 20 at Carlisle Interconnect Technologies in Saint Augustine, Florida. “I really enjoy creating relationships and developing other people, as well as seeing engineering projects come to fruition,” Krenek

Financial aid opens doors of opportunity to hundreds of Florida Poly students

February 26, 2021

While a student at Tampa Bay Technical High School, Maricelly Nascimento knew she’d need extra financial help to make her academic dreams become a reality. “My dad doesn’t make much money – less than $15,000 a year, so he cannot pay for anything,” said Nascimento, a junior majoring in computer science at Florida Polytechnic University. “I knew if I was

Ready to grow: Florida Poly recruiting dozens of faculty

February 22, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University, the only state university dedicated entirely to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), is poised for unprecedented growth as it seeks to add 25 new faculty members for the fall 2021 semester. The recruitment effort comes as many universities across the country are shedding faculty positions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. One

Phoenix Lacrosse shines in inaugural season opener

February 22, 2021

The Phoenix Lacrosse Team took the field for the first time on Friday, Feb. 19, in a Purple and White exhibition game. The spirited event drew a crowd of more than 100 Florida Polytechnic University students and other supporters eager to cheer on the student athletes in their debut game despite the cold, rainy weather. “I think it went fantastic,”

Students share high-tech project experience with future collegians

February 16, 2021

Middle and high school students at dozens of schools across the state learned about the culture of hands-on, high-tech learning at Florida Poly University on Thursday, Feb. 11. The live virtual event was a joint effort between the University and stemCONNECT, a program of the Florida High-Tech Corridor, aimed at inspiring young students to consider STEM careers. “I hope that

New partnership with FSC to provide 4+1 MBA opportunities to Florida Poly grads

February 15, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University and Florida Southern College announced today an exclusive public-private partnership that will allow Florida Poly students to earn a STEM bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Southern in five years or less. The new partnership is the first of its kind in the region, offering a direct and affordable path

Students design next generation of high-tech, sentimental jewelry

February 11, 2021

For centuries, lockets have allowed people to keep precious memories close to their hearts. A team of Florida Polytechnic University capstone students is modernizing the traditional sentimental accessory, infusing it with advanced technology and limitless possibilities. “Our goal is to create an accessory that’s basically like a smart locket that displays photos and audio recordings,” said Steven Lim, a senior

Students gain professional boost through career fair and CODES events

February 5, 2021

As students work their way through the spring semester, Florida Polytechnic University is making sure they have access to many virtual workshops, speaker sessions, and a career fair to improve their employability and their professional prospects. Career Opportunities Developing Evolutionary Success (CODES) kicked off its schedule of nearly a dozen events this semester on Feb. 1 with a Microsoft Mondays

Fulbright scholars explore educational opportunities at Florida Poly

January 28, 2021

Florida Polytechnic University is helping three Fulbright scholars broaden their cultural experiences while they pursue an advanced graduate education. Graduate students Clinton Elliott from Australia, Zubaidah Al-Mashhadani from Iraq, and Michael Theiler from Germany are eager to absorb all they can from the University. “Florida Poly has offered me the opportunity to work closely with faculty members in research and

Founding Trustee’s donation supports first-generation scholars

January 26, 2021

When a vision for the first state university dedicated entirely to STEM began to blossom in 2012, Robert Gidel was tapped to join Florida Polytechnic University’s first Board of Trustees and help guide the creation of the new institution. Nearly a decade later, Gidel is proud of the distinguished position Florida Poly has carved for itself among Florida’s 12 state

Grad student finds success, support with faculty mentor

January 21, 2021

In immense grief and mired in one of the most difficult times of her life following the death of her father, Florida Polytechnic University student Jordan Douglass sought to drop her operations research class in the spring of 2019 to allow herself time to grieve and regroup. “I went to Dr. (Grisselle) Centeno’s office during drop week and told her

Florida Poly bucks national trend with increase in transfer student enrollment

January 19, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – The number of transfer students enrolling at Florida Polytechnic University has increased dramatically for the Spring 2021 semester, in stark contrast to national trends. Transfer applications to Florida Poly increased by 42% for the spring semester, and transfer deposits climbed by 180%. Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus, vice provost of enrollment at the University, said this was a