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A group of students in front of the IST on the first day of the 2026-27 academic year, which saw record enrollment.

Record enrollment propels Florida Poly into new era of growth

August 17, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University soared into the 2026-27 academic year on Monday, Aug. 17, welcoming a record enrollment of 2,342 students. The milestone represents a remarkable 35% increase in total student enrollment over the last two years, up from over 1,900 students in 2025 and more than 1,700 in 2024, further solidifying Florida Poly’s reputation as a premier destination for high-demand STEM education.

Naibys Alzugaray, a rising senior majoring in computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, during her internship at EA in Orlando.

Florida Poly senior turns EA Madden 27 internship into software engineering career

August 14, 2026

For Naibys Alzugaray, landing an internship at Electronic Arts (EA) in Orlando, Florida, was the realization of a dream that started in high school. But by the end of the summer, that dream became a permanent reality. On the final day of her internship on Aug. 7, the Florida Polytechnic University rising senior received a full-time software engineer job offer to return to EA after graduation to join the company’s Software Engineer Academy crew.

Florida Polytechnic University Men’s Soccer player Fernando Martinez during the University’s first media day.

Florida Poly’s student-athletes take center stage at inaugural media day

August 11, 2026

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) and representatives from Florida Polytechnic University gather during CPHE’s inaugural site visit at the institution on Aug. 5-6.

Commission for Public Higher Education completes first accreditation site visit at Florida Polytechnic University

August 10, 2026

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.

Florida Polytechnic University employees watch the live broadcast of a NASA diver performing an underwater test of the University’s student-designed tool dock as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge.

NASA tests Florida Poly student-designed tool to improve spacewalks

August 7, 2026

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.

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Florida Poly entrepreneurial team wins funding at Catapult LAUNCH Pitch Night

March 22, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – An entrepreneurial team of Florida Polytechnic University students earned funding for their development of an innovative gesture-control device for electric longboards at the 2021 Catapult LAUNCH Pitch Night in Lakeland. Seniors Aaron Apigo, Kevin Racktoo, and David Terry walked away from the March 18 event with a $2,500 microgrant to evolve their prototype and advance their business, dex. Interfaces.

Capstone team creates next-generation risk assessment tool

March 18, 2021

In business, it’s important to know whether potential partners have hidden risks that could one day affect either company’s operations. A team of Florida Polytechnic University senior capstone design students are developing a tool to assess this risk and help companies make more informed decisions. “It’s a way to quickly scan the web and give a report of whether or

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

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

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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.