With the fall 2026 semester just days away, Florida Polytechnic University’s first student-athletes donned their new uniforms, laced up their cleats and stepped into the spotlight Monday, Aug. 10, for the University’s inaugural media day for the men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams as they prepare for their first season of competition.
The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a nascent institutional accreditor, today announced the successful completion of its inaugural site visit at Florida Polytechnic University on Aug. 5-6, marking a historic milestone for both organizations. The visit was the first conducted by CPHE, making Florida Poly the first institution to advance through this critical phase of the Commission’s accreditation process.
When astronauts venture outside the International Space Station to perform critical maintenance, it is essential for them to access and store their tools quickly and conveniently. Every tool must remain securely attached to their spacesuit while still being readily available when needed. A team of Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering students spent 10 months developing a one-handed wearable tool dock designed to make that process easier, faster and more efficient. NASA put the team’s tool to the test at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Avery Reef, a mechanical engineering student at Florida Polytechnic University, is getting a front-row seat to how products progress from a simple idea to the factory floor. The hands-on experience is helping shape his future engineering career. Reef is an intern with Watts Water Technologies, a global leader in water system solutions.
Phoenix Racing crossed the finish line to place third among U.S. teams and sixth overall in its debut at the biennial Electrek American Solar Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic University have entered into an articulation agreement, establishing the Eagle to Phoenix Pathway program for students. Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas and Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson signed the agreement on Thursday, July 30, strengthening the partnership between the institutions and expanding opportunities for students.
Ricardo Kenzo Ota’s summer internship at one of the world’s largest tech companies is opening his eyes to a world of possibilities. The Florida Polytechnic University senior is spending his summer working as a software developer intern at Amazon’s world headquarters in Seattle, Washington. “When I found out that I was selected, I felt like I was dreaming,” said Ota,
Florida Polytechnic University’s Data Science and Business Analytics Department has been named to an international list of the 10 Most Prominent Analytics Institutes 2021 by Analytics Insight Magazine.
Florida Polytechnic University senior Skylar Rupert is making the most of every educational and professional opportunity available to her this summer as a mechanical intern at TLC Engineering Solutions in Fort Myers, Florida. “At Florida Poly, we work in teams for projects,” said Rupert, from Port Charlotte, Florida. “Working at TLC has made me feel like part of a team
State University System Students: We are excited to welcome you to our campuses next month! To help us provide high-quality classes, student services, extracurricular activities, and athletic programs in a healthy environment, we strongly recommend that all students get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus before arriving on campus. Since the onset of the pandemic, our successes are a result of
Thick Florida wildland with steep, muddy slopes and rough, rocky terrain is the perfect setting for Dr. Randy K. Avent to strap on his helmet and indulge in his lifelong passion. The Florida Polytechnic University president often meets up with alumni, students, and friends to conquer the woods and tracks of Florida from the perch of his high-powered dirt bike,
A summer research internship experience is allowing Florida Polytechnic University senior Andre Archer to gain close-up, real-world insight into the field of computational mechanics, a specialized area that he would like to pursue as a career. “It is the overlap between mechanical engineering, computer science, materials science, and even chemistry,” Archer said. “It’s really interesting and exactly what I want
A team of Florida Polytechnic University students is working to transform the common hobby drone into a solar-powered craft that can remain continuously aloft throughout the daylight hours. “On a bright, sunny day, it should gather enough energy from its solar panels that it can be charging up the battery while it’s gliding through the air.” said Spencer Bishop, a
As part of the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates, Florida Polytechnic University junior Jabari Acre is spending the summer working on improving stereolithography (SLA) though the use of the two-photon absorption phenomena at the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. The advanced technology allows users to produce complex, three-dimensional structures with nanoscale resolutions through the use of
Updated July 5, 1:45 p.m. Florida Poly is closely watching the trajectory of Tropical Storm Elsa as it approaches the state of Florida. At this time, all University operations will continue as normal. However, we know things can change quickly and the safety of our University community is always our top priority. If there are any changes regarding the path
A summer internship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is allowing Florida Polytechnic University senior Nicole Ely to use machine learning to gain a better understanding of data shared on Twitter. Ely, who is majoring in data science with a concentration in big data analytics, is working with the Tennessee university’s computational biology program to use the machine learning
As a software engineer associate at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and an on-air technology podcast host, Daniele Mendez ’19 is fulfilling her dreams and pursuing passions for engineering and journalism.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Dr. Oguzhan Topsakal, assistant professor of computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, is employing leading-edge digital technology to help plastic surgeons achieve better outcomes when performing rhinoplasty. The research has been published in several leading journals. So far this year, he and his team have published three papers in top journals such Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic
Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.
