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Loved ones share in the college experience at Phoenix Family Day

September 22, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University buzzed with energy on Saturday, Sept. 20, as more than 850 parents, siblings and friends joined students on campus for the annual Phoenix Family Day. Visitors explored the University, played games, tackled hands-on STEM challenges and experienced firsthand the vibrant spirit of the Florida Poly community alongside their favorite Phoenix student. Gladys Diaz, from Miramar, Florida, joined

Colombian National Team coach brings World Cup experience to Florida Poly soccer players

September 19, 2025

Legendary Colombian soccer coach Nelson Abadía brought his expertise and inspiration to Florida Polytechnic University on Thursday, Sept. 18, as he observed the men’s and women’s soccer teams in training and shared advice to strengthen their game. “It was unforgettable. Coach Abadía brought so much knowledge, and his presence alone elevated the atmosphere,” said Sebastian Anzola, captain of Florida Poly’s

Florida Poly professor’s powerful new tool brings higher accuracy to nuclear physics

September 15, 2025

Dr. Ian Bentley, chair of the Department of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, developed a new machine learning model to improve predictions of nuclear binding energies.

Students face off in epic Humans vs. Zombies Nerf battle

September 12, 2025

A “zombie infection” overtook Florida Polytechnic University during the week of Sept. 8, slowly spreading from three infected students to nearly all the players in a campuswide Humans vs. Zombies Nerf dart battle.

Expert panel explores phosphate mining and its impacts

September 10, 2025

A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.

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

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Students to explore professional opportunities at University’s first virtual career fair

October 12, 2020

The search for jobs and internships got more complicated after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many companies to shift their interview and hiring processes online. But Pairris Jones, Florida Polytechnic University’s associate director of career development, said Phoenixes are well positioned to do well in today’s employment landscape. Students will have the chance to explore just what is out there during

Florida Poly launches virtual STEM outreach for state’s K-12 schools

October 7, 2020

While the COVID-19 pandemic stopped in-person outreach and campus visits by Central Florida’s K-12 schools, Florida Polytechnic University’s Office of Educational Outreach created new ways to take close-up STEM demonstrations and discussions directly to these students. “Traditionally, we were face-to-face both on campus and off campus, but we have gone virtual this semester,” said Indira Sukhraj, associate director of educational

Florida Poly professor tapped for national public policy program

September 28, 2020

An assistant professor of electrical engineering at Florida Polytechnic University has been selected for the highly competitive Optical Society of America (OSA) Foundation public policy program. Dr. Md Selim Habib will work to help advance knowledge of the significance of the optics and photonics field by working with other leading academics and members of Congress. He is among the 25

Florida Poly launches innovative STEM support for high schools

September 24, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has taken on a new initiative to support high schools throughout the state by providing a virtual network of trained learning assistants. More than a dozen Florida Poly students are now working as virtual tutors to help high school students stay on track in their studies, specifically in calculus and other STEM disciplines. The

Innovative health device takes Florida Poly students to statewide competition finals

September 24, 2020

A pair of Florida Polytechnic University students have developed innovative new technology to keep newly discharged patients out of the hospital. They recently advanced to the final round of a statewide healthcare competition. Megan Morano and Ethan Medjuck were finalists in the highly competitive Florida Blue Health Innovation Challenge. The annual contest seeks solutions for real healthcare problems from the

Professor and student gain prestigious Fulbright appointments

September 22, 2020

A Florida Polytechnic University assistant professor and a senior computer science student have been selected by the Fulbright Program for prestigious academic appointments. Dr. Sesha Srinivasan, chair of Florida Poly’s Department of Natural Sciences, was selected to the Fulbright Specialist Program. The effort allows overseas universities, cultural centers, and other institutions to develop collaborative projects with leading U.S. academic professionals.

University president recognized as one of Florida’s top executives for second consecutive year

September 21, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, was selected for the second consecutive year as one of Florida’s most influential business leaders. Florida Trend magazine just released its annual Florida 500 list recognizing the state’s top executives in a variety of economic sectors and industries. “I am honored to receive this recognition once again, as

First academic honor society at Florida Poly takes root

September 17, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University engineering and computer science students with stellar grades, involvement, and character are now eligible for selection to the new Mu Omega Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) academic honor society. This is Florida Poly’s first academic honor society, recognizing students who excel academically and among their peers. “Eta Kappa Nu

Aerospace concentration helps students take flight

September 16, 2020

Florida has been the epicenter of the U.S. aerospace industry for decades. Families have built traditions around watching the historic launch of space shuttles and rockets from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Many children grew up looking at the sky in awe of a rocket disappearing as it goes into orbit. This week is National Aerospace Week,

Florida Poly breaks into national rankings of top engineering colleges

September 14, 2020

After only six years in existence, Florida Polytechnic University made its first appearance in the national rankings of the prestigious U.S News and World Report as a top 75 engineering college without a doctorate degree. In its national ranking debut, Florida Poly breaks out at 72 among more than 230 undergraduate engineering colleges without a Ph.D., and in the top

Sky’s the limit for students in tactical fighter aircraft internship

September 10, 2020

Two Florida Polytechnic University students are getting a high-flying look at an industry that plays a major role Florida’s high-tech future. And the opportunity will surely shape their professional future as well. Senior Krystal Rivera and junior Andre Archer are completing an internship at Draken International in Lakeland, Florida, the leading company in adversary air service in the world. Both

Microsoft expert offers project management insight to Capstone students

September 9, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University students working on their capstone senior design projects received a lesson in successful project management from an expert in the field on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Justin Denham, a modern service management consultant at tech giant Microsoft, volunteered to lead a series of virtual lectures to help these students improve the way they move forward with their projects.