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Florida Poly opens new hub for innovation: the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center

November 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University celebrated a major milestone with the debut of its 40,000-square-foot Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center (GCW) on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The $15 million facility adds state-of-the-art laboratory space and equipment designed to elevate student learning, fuel innovation and solidify the University’s role as an economic driver for the state of Florida. The GCW features advanced research and

Florida Poly alum at the heart of bioprinting innovation

November 17, 2025

Dr. Steven Chisolm ’19 believes the future of medicine is being built layer by layer, literally. What may sound like science fiction, such as 3D printing functional hearts or kidneys for transplant, is quickly becoming possible, and he is among the innovators helping turn that vision into reality. A proud Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering graduate, Chisolm is now a

Florida Poly faculty joins national committee on recycling innovation

November 14, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University’s Dr. Malak Anshassi has earned national recognition for her research advancing recycling, solid waste management and sustainability. She was recently appointed to serve as a recycling expert on a prestigious committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to address the pressing problem of waste reduction. Anshassi, an assistant professor of environmental engineering, was selected

From boot camp to Blue Origin: Engineering student builds future at Florida Poly

November 10, 2025

Celebrating Veterans Day Every Veterans Day, Florida Polytechnic University student Jonny Anderson can’t help but reflect on the journey that led him from serving in both the Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve to helping build rockets for space technology company Blue Origin. With determination squarely focused on earning a mechanical engineering degree, Anderson is living a dream many students

Florida Poly and South Korean university GIST team up to drive global STEM research

November 6, 2025

A new partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and South Korea’s Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is set to boost academic and research collaboration at both institutions, widely recognized for advancing STEM education. The partnership facilitates student and faculty exchanges as well as research initiatives, with the goal of elevating the quality and impact of each university’s scholarship and

New podcast spotlights Florida Poly alumni lessons and achievements

November 4, 2025

Graduation marks a major milestone in a student’s life, but learning doesn’t stop there. A new podcast showcases how Florida Polytechnic University alumni continue to grow, adapt and lead in their fields. Now working in high-tech careers across industries, Florida Poly alumni are sharing their personal journeys, insights and lessons they’ve learned on the “The Legacy Podcast,” presented by the

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Bright future is on deck for 2018 alum and Navy officer

October 27, 2020

When Peter Moran ’18 joined the Navy in 2019, his thoughts were of his grandfather who served in the Marine Corps during World War II. “I wanted to continue that legacy and do my part for my country,” said Moran, who now is a supply corps officer and the hazardous materials officer on USS John C. Stennis, a nuclear-powered supercarrier

Students learn about career in gaming at Xbox

October 20, 2020

Students who dream of one day joining the world that brings their favorite video games to life had an opportunity to hear directly from a professional in the field. Aaliyah Burroughs, partner technical advisor at Xbox, joined Florida Polytechnic University’s career development office for a virtual speaker session with students on Friday, Oct. 16. “I hope they were able to

National security partnership has Florida Poly students solving pressing military problems

October 19, 2020

The U.S. military is turning to interdisciplinary teams of students from Florida Polytechnic University to help solve some of its most pressing challenges. Hacking for Defense (H4D), a program of the Department of Defense’s National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), challenges students at some of the nation’s top universities to find solutions to a wide variety of the military’s communications, logistics,

Virtual fun brings Florida Poly together on Phoenix Family Day

October 16, 2020

Proud Phoenixes will show off the Florida Polytechnic University way of life – virtually – on Saturday, Oct. 17, during Phoenix Family Day. The annual event is one of the campus’ most treasured traditions. It brings together students and their loved ones, allowing both groups to share in a fun day while exploring Florida Poly’s the unique and fun campus

Florida Poly Police Department awarded statewide law enforcement accreditation

October 15, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department is now an accredited law enforcement agency in the state of Florida. The department received the award from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) on Thursday, Oct. 15, recognizing its policies, procedures, and processes as meeting or exceeding industry standards. Accreditation standards address a wide range of law enforcement

University Procurement recognized with prestigious award

October 15, 2020

For a third consecutive year, Florida Polytechnic University’s Procurement Department received the prestigious Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI). The award recognizes public and nonprofit agencies that demonstrate a commitment to procurement excellence by embracing innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership, and e-procurement. “Earning the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award demonstrates to our

Ph.D. and M.S. opportunities abound for Florida Poly students

October 14, 2020

A bachelor’s degree from Florida Polytechnic University positions students to succeed in many of today’s fastest-growing fields. However, many students have dreams that only a master’s degree or a Ph.D. can help them achieve. Florida Poly undergraduates will have an opportunity to explore some of the options available to them this month during a series of virtual sessions with graduate

Heartland Scholarship Fund supports students from rural Florida

October 13, 2020

As Florida Polytechnic University grew from a vision to a nationally recognized STEM institution in just eight years, Ford Heacock remained steadfast as one of its staunchest supporters. “I am very proud of being part of the Florida Poly Foundation and being witness to the birth of the University,” said Heacock, a longtime member of the foundation’s board and CEO

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